July 10, 2018
Permits required for new compression, processing and transmission stations along pipelines and new natural gas wells respectively.
On June 7, 2018 Governor Tom Wolf and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Patrick McDonnell announced the issuance of new general permits for unconventional natural gas wells and compression, processing, and transmission facilities that will reduce air pollution and establish a control threshold on methane emissions.
“Pennsylvania is the second-largest producer of natural gas in the nation behind Texas,” said Governor Wolf. “We are uniquely positioned to be a national leader in addressing climate change while supporting and ensuring responsible energy development, while protecting public health and our environment.”
“These permits incorporate the most current state and federal regulations for controlling air pollution,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “The permits for new unconventional natural gas wells and new compression, processing and transmission stations along pipelines are some of the first in the nation to comprehensively address methane emissions from all equipment and processes, and they also address other types of pollution that contribute to poor quality.
The newly revised general permits, GP-5 and GP-5A will be required for new compression, processing and transmission stations along pipelines and new natural gas wells, respectively.In addition to the methane controls, the permits also set thresholds on other types of air pollution, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Operators will be required to meet federal new source standards and state Best Available Technology (BAT) included in the permit conditions for equipment and processes to control pollution emissions.
In addition to the methane controls, the permits also set thresholds on other types of air pollution, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
Governor Wolf has said he will issue rules for the state’s 11,000 existing Marcellus shale gas wells but hasn’t proposed any yet.
Links for Further Information
- Pennsylvania Methane Reduction Strategy
- Final GP-5
- Final GP-5A
- Technical Support Document
- Webinar: Controlling Methane and Air Pollution from Natural Gas Sources – The Pennsylvania Playbook
What this means to you
Pennsylvania has announced new natural gas permitting strategies – GP-5 and GP 5A – for new compression, processing and transmission stations along pipelines and new natural gas wells respectively to establish control thresholds on methane emissions, VOCs, HAPs, and NOx.
MIRATECH can help
Contact MIRATECH for stationary engine emission NOx, HAPs and VOCs control solutions.