Austin, Texas – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Thursday, March 2, 2017, that it will withdraw its request for oil and natural gas operators to provide information on equipment and emissions at existing oil and gas operations. The information collected through this process would have been used to develop unnecessary air regulations for existing sources in the onshore oil and natural gas sector under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act (CAA). The withdrawal is effective immediately.
“The Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO) applauds Administrator Scott Pruitt’s decision to suspend the EPA’s onerous Information Collection Request (ICR) for U.S. oil and gas producers,” said Ed Longanecker, president of TIPRO. “The ICR was part of a larger regulatory assault launched under the Obama Administration targeting the oil and natural gas industry, one of the most heavily regulated sectors in the United States. This action shows a commitment to reducing overbearing regulations placed on an industry that provides millions of American jobs and billions in annual tax revenue, and a commitment to strengthening the EPA’s partnership with the states,” added Longanecker.
“State regulators and policymakers, not the federal government, have far more experience and expertise with oil and natural gas activities in Texas, and are much better equipped to adopt progressive, impactful, yet sensible regulations for the protection of our environment and benefit of Texas citizens,” concluded Longanecker.