EPA Final Rule Targeting Methane Emissions: Covered Entities, Advanced Technology, Third-Party Super Emitter Monitoring
Course Details
- smart_display Format
On-Demand
- signal_cellular_alt Difficulty Level
Intermediate
- work Practice Area
Environmental
- event Date
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
- schedule Time
1:00 p.m. ET./10:00 a.m. PT
- timer Program Length
90 minutes
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This 90-minute webinar is eligible in most states for 1.5 CLE credits.
This CLE webinar will guide counsel through the EPA's recently released final rule to drastically reduce methane and other harmful pollutants from the oil and natural gas industry. The panel will discuss covered entities, the use of new and advanced technology for compliance, and the super emitter program which will allow for third-party monitoring of emissions. The panel will address interplay with state plans and other federal laws and provide best practices for compliance.
Ms. Mangelsdorf has more than 15 years of experience practicing across a broad range of legal areas, with extensive knowledge in toxic tort and environmental law. She represents many large corporations and businesses, including manufacturers of petroleum and chemical products, industrial equipment, general contractors, timber and agricultural companies, and members of the maritime industry. Ms. Mangelsdorf has defended clients, through trial or settlement, in various legal matters involving asbestos, environmental law, OSHA, products liability, and wrongful death. She regularly counsels clients on general compliance and litigation issues arising from state and federal environmental regulations and enforcement actions with the express aim to avoid costs of litigation and mitigate any potential liability.
Ms. Tabak identifies strategic solutions in environmental regulatory compliance, specializing in waste and chemicals management, contamination issues and emerging contaminants such PFAS, multi-facility audit management and disclosures, and enforcement response. She has extensive experience helping clients navigate regulatory, permitting, and liability issues involving solid and hazardous waste, chemicals, site remediation, water quality, and air quality. Ms. Tabak counsels clients managing complex audit and compliance processes, negotiates civil and criminal enforcement actions, and prepares submissions including reporting and disclosures to federal and state authorities and insurers. She also regularly advises clients involved in multiple industry sectors, including energy and resources, mining, oil and gas, aggregates, and electric power, focusing on liability and compliance related to changing federal and state environmental rulemaking, requirements and developments.
As part of the current administration's whole-of-government approach to tackling climate change, the EPA recently issued the final rule to drastically reduce methane and other harmful pollutants from the oil and natural gas industry. The final rule includes updated and more stringent standards for methane and other air pollutants from new, modified, and reconstructed sources, as well as emissions guidelines to assist states in developing plans to limit methane emissions from existing sources.
Among other things, the rule will allow owners and operators to use multiple advanced technologies to detect so-called fugitive emissions, where valves or seals may allow methane to escape into the atmosphere during the production of natural gas, as alternatives to periodic optical gas imaging surveys. The rule will also phase out routine flaring of natural gas from new oil wells.
Furthermore, and most notably, the rule establishes a process for targeting super emitters by allowing third-party monitoring using technology such as remote-sensing aircraft or high-resolution satellites to find leaks and requires prompt response and resolution by the responsible party.
Listen as our expert panel guides practitioners through the new rule to mitigate methane emissions and other harmful pollutants and provides best practices for compliance.
- Introduction: history of the rule
- The final rule
- Covered entities and emissions sources
- Emissions standards
- Technology and equipment
- Super emitter program
- State and tribal plans
- Documentation and recordkeeping
- Compliance timeline
- Other considerations
- Interplay with Methane Emissions Reduction Program and other federal laws
- Best practices for compliance
The panel will review these and other important considerations:
- How does the final rule apply to existing facilities? To new facilities?
- How does the final rule allow for the use of advanced technology to monitor emissions? How does this differ from prior practice?
- What are the requirements for third-party monitoring in the super emitter program? What technologies may be used? What are possible repercussions for being a super emitter?
- How does the new rule impact state plans? Interact with other federal laws?
- What is the timeline for compliance with the final rule?
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