Natural Gas Transmission and Storage Facilities: National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)
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Rule Summary
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued final rules to reduce emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) from oil and natural gas production facilities as well as natural gas transmission and storage facilities. These rules implement section 112 of the Clean Air Act (CAA). Emissions from various processes and operations at oil and natural gas production facilities and natural gas transmission and storage facilities typically contain 5 different HAPs: benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and mixed xylenes, and n-hexane. HAPs, also known as air toxics, are pollutants which are known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health effects such as birth defects or reproductive effects.
See all Clean Air Act regulatory actions for oil and natural gas operations
Rule History
01/26/2016 – National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants; Extension of Comment Period: Request for Information (81 FR 4239)
11/27/2015 – National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Request for Information (80 FR 74068)
08/16/2012 – New Source Performance Standards and National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants Reviews: Final Rule (77 FR 49490)
08/23/2011 – New Source Performance Standards and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants Reviews: Proposed Rule (76 FR 52738)
09/27/2001 – National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants From Natural Gas Transmission and Storage Facilities: Final Rule; Technical Correction (66 FR 49299)
06/17/1999 – National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Oil and Natural Gas Production and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Natural Gas Transmission and Storage: Final Rule (64 FR 32610)
01/15/1999 – National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Natural Gas Transmission and Storage: Supplemental Notice of Proposal (64 FR 2611)
02/06/1998 – National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Oil and Natural Gas Production and Natural Gas Transmission and Storage Proposed Rule and Notice of Public Hearing (63 FR 6288)
Additional Resources
Fact Sheet on 2023 Proposed Amendments to Remove Affirmative Defense Provisions (pdf)(129.78 KB)
View the supporting documents in the docket folder to find additional related documents to the rules.
Compliance
Applicability Determination Index (ADI). The ADI is maintained by EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) and provides a data base of memoranda dealing with applicability issues. The database is searchable by Subpart.
Manufacturer-Tested Combustion Control Devices
See the latest list of combustion control device models that have been tested by the manufacturer
Notification Requirement for Well Completions Begins October 15, 2012
Beginning October 15, 2012, gas well completion notification provisions under EPA's 2012 oil and gas standards take effect. Companies can meet this provision by complying with state advance notification requirements. If a state does not have an advance notification requirement, companies must inform EPA no later than two days before the well completion using hydraulic fracturing begins. Companies may submit this notification electronically or in writing. EPA finalized this approach after receiving feedback from industry, states and others during the 100-day public comment period. Companies have until 2015 to meet the green completion requirements in the final rule.
On August 16, 2012, EPA published the notification requirement in Oil and Natural Gas Sector: New Source Performance Standards and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants Reviews; Final Rule (pdf)(112pp, 1.0 MB). Owners or operators that need to notify EPA may send a notification email to the appropriate region at the address listed below.
- Region 1: none (No fracturing anticipated)
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont and Tribal Nations - Region 2: r2wellcompletion@epa.gov
New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands and Tribal Nations - Region 3: r3wellcompletion@epa.gov
Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia - Region 4: r4wellcompletion@epa.gov
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Tribal Nations - Region 5: r5wellcompletion@epa.gov
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin and Tribal Nations - Region 6: r6wellcompletion@epa.gov
Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas and Tribal Nations - Region 7: r7wellcompletion@epa.gov
Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Tribal Nations - Region 8: r8wellcompletion@epa.gov
Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming and Tribal Nations - Region 9: r9wellcompletion@epa.gov
Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, the Pacific Islands, and Tribal Nations - Region 10: r10wellcompletion@epa.gov
Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Tribal Nations