The Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO) filed comments this week with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over proposed policy changes highlighting recommended improvements to the 2012 and 2016 New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for the oil and natural gas industry promulgated under the Clean Air Act. TIPRO has been an active participant in the rulemakings and associated litigation since the EPA proposed to revise the NSPS for the Oil and Natural Gas Sector in August 2011. The latest filing also represents the third round of formal NSPS comments submitted by TIPRO to the EPA over the past four years. The following statement can be attributed to Ed Longanecker, president of TIPRO:
“The Texas oil and natural gas industry applauds the Trump Administration for seeking to adopt reasonable air quality driven performance standards that protect the environment while also reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens that stifle domestic energy production. It’s also critically important to highlight the proactive and successful efforts of oil and natural gas producers to reduce energy-related emissions through voluntary actions, industry best practices and innovation.
The 2016 NSPS were among the most overreaching regulations targeting the U.S. oil and natural gas industry adopted under the previous administration. Since the EPA updated its NSPS and permitting rules in 2016 for new, reconstructed and modified oil and gas sources, TIPRO has lobbied against the regulations and the disproportionate impact on smaller U.S. oil and natural gas producers.
Over the past 20 years, the U.S. oil and natural gas industry has invested $300 billion in greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigating technologies. As a result of this commitment and related initiatives, methane emissions from oil and natural gas production fell 24 percent between 2011 and 2017, while oil and natural gas production rose 65 percent and 19 percent, respectively, according to data from the EPA and the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Since 2005, total U.S. GHG emissions have dropped by 12 percent, and total GHG emissions from fossil fuel combustion have decreased nearly 15 percent. Increasing use of domestic natural gas for electricity generation has contributed in significant reductions in the emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and criteria air pollutants. Meanwhile, every one of the signatories of the Paris Accord lags behind America in overall emissions reductions.
The U.S. continues to dominate as a global leader in oil and natural gas production and environmental stewardship. Only through a fair, stable regulatory environment has the country been able to accomplish such major achievements, leading to cleaner air and water resources and record oil and gas production. Unfortunately, unbalanced policies like the so-called ‘Green New Deal’ would not only be devastating for our economy and enhanced national security, but also hinder important advancements and innovations pursued by U.S. companies to help the environment.”
To download a copy of TIPRO’s comments, please click here.
