May 29, 2019
On May 23, 2019 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the release of its Spring 2019 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions, which provides updates to the public about the agency’s regulatory activity.
It’s a lengthy list that includes several actions affecting oil & gas as well an action affecting stationary compression ignition engines, and an action affecting marine diesel engine emissions. Each individual action listing includes a brief abstract of the action to be taken as well as a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) date as well as a rulemaking deadline.
Actions affecting oil & gas
- Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Emission Standards for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources Review. NPRM: May 2019, Final Rule: December 2019. The purpose of this action is to propose amendments to address key policy issues such as the regulation of greenhouse gases in this sector.
- National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants Risk and Technology Review Reconsideration: Oil and Natural Gas Sector. NPRM: October 2019, Final Rule: July 2020. By letter to petitioners dated October 6, 2017, the Administrator granted reconsideration on certain issues brought by petitioners. At this time, EPA is evaluating these issues to propose reconsideration.
- Supplemental Notice of Potential Withdrawal of the Control Techniques Guideline for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry. Notice: 3/9/2018, Supplemental Notice of Potential Withdrawal: September 2019. These guidelines provided recommendations for reducing volatile organic compound emissions from existing oil and natural gas equipment and processes in moderate and higher classified ozone nonattainment areas and states in the Ozone Transport Region. In this action, the EPA plans to withdraw these guidelines in their entirety.
Actions affecting Stationary CI engines and Marine Diesel Engines
- Standards of Performance for Stationary Compression Ignition (CI) Internal Combustion Engines Amendments. NPRM: June 2019, Final Rule: June 2019. This action plans to amend the Standards of Performance for Stationary Compression Ignition (CI) Internal Combustion Engines (40 CFR part 60, subpart IIII) to provide regulatory relief for owners and operators of stationary CI engines in remote areas of Alaska.
- Amendments Related to Marine Diesel Engine Emission Standards. NPRM: June 2019, Final Rule: November 2019. EPA will propose to amend 40 CFR part 1042 to address concerns about the limited availability of certified Tier 4 engines that are appropriate for certain vessels. The rule may also include a variety of technical amendments related to the compliance provisions for marine diesel engines and the associated vessels.
What this means to you
EPA’s Spring 2019 list of regulator/deregulatory actions includes oil & gas, CI engines and marine diesel engines.
MIRATECH can help
Contact MIRATECH for stationary engine and marine engine emission control.