Apr 18, 2012 IPAA Responds to EPA’s Emissions Regulation
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Earlier today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a series of new rules governing emissions controls at oil and natural gas wellsites across the country. Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) president and CEO Barry Russell issued the following statement subsequent to the announcement: in previous communications with the White House, we believe EPA’s baseline emissions estimates – which form the backbone of the rules posted today – are significantly overstated; indeed, by as much as 1,400 percent, in some cases. Needless to say, the use of accurate data – readily available to the agency – would likely have yielded a very different final rule, and one that’s more in line with the reality of the situation as it presently exists. We’re also concerned that the rules issued today might have the consequence – unintended or not – of impeding the development of energy from vertical wells, which still account for a significant percentage of America’s domestic energy production.
“The foundation upon which today’s announcement is premised is a good one, and one with which IPAA agrees in full: The continued development of our nation’s oil and natural gas resources is a key energy, economic, environmental and strategic imperative for our country, and it must continue to be pursued in the safest, most responsible and most environmentally sensitive manner possible. The good news is that many of the objectives that EPA would like to see accomplished under these new rules are already being met and exceeded by industry, with control technologies being deployed across the country and significant reductions in emissions being realized across the board as a result of the enormous investments being made by large and small companies alike.
“That said, and as we’ve made clear in previous communications with the White House, we believe EPA’s baseline emissions estimates – which form the backbone of the rules posted today – are significantly overstated; indeed, by as much as 1,400 percent, in some cases. Needless to say, the use of accurate data – readily available to the agency – would likely have yielded a very different final rule, and one that’s more in line with the reality of the situation as it presently exists. We’re also concerned that the rules issued today might have the consequence – unintended or not – of impeding the development of energy from vertical wells, which still account for a significant percentage of America’s domestic energy production.
“While the new standards provide industry with a phased in approach for new control requirements, their effect on our nation’s independent oil and natural gas producers – companies that drill 95 percent of wells with an average of 12 employees – as well as our economy and our national security has the potential to be profound.”
IPAA represents the companies that drill 95% of America’s oil and natural gas wells.
