EPA finally issues rules covering oil and gas emissions during
fracking By Bruce Baizel April 20, 2012 After delay and behind
the scenes discussions, the EPA issued the final New Source
Performance Standards and New Emission Standards for Hazardous
Air Pollutants regulations for the oil and gas sector. These
federal rules – the first to cover oil and gas exploration and
production, including fracking – were the result of a lawsuit by
environmental groups. Generally, the rules will lead to a
greater transparency from this industry through required
accounting for the numerous sources of emissions that are
currently ‘invisible’ due to the lack of regulation. The rules
will also provide health benefits to those who live close to the
thousands of gas facilities covered by these rules. The rules
will reduce emissions by: - Volatile Organic Compounds: 190,000
to 290,000 tons; - Air Toxics: 12,000 to 20.000 tons; and -
Methane about 19 to 33 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent The
rules will provide an economic benefit