On March 10, 2014, U.S. EPA published proposed revisions and confidentiality determinations for the petroleum and natural gas source category of the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reporting Rule, 40 CFR Part 98, Subpart W. The amendments to Subpart W include the following:
· Changes to provide consistency throughout Subpart W, including changing the units of measurement for GHG reporting from metric tons of CO2e of each GHG reported to metric tons of GHG reported, and amending the definition of the Onshore Production Source Category to include all equipment on or associated with a single well pad;
· Revisions to the calculation methods and reporting requirements for certain sources, including, pneumatic devices, dehydrators, gas well completions, storage tanks, and gas venting and flaring; and
· Adjustments to Subpart W provisions allowing the use of best available monitoring methods to provide facilities with time to adjust to the new requirements of the rule.
EPA also proposed several confidentiality determinations for the new and substantially revised data elements contained in the proposed amendments to the rule. If finalized, the amendments would become effective on January 1, 2015.
Comments on the proposed revisions must be submitted to U.S. EPA on or before April 24, 2014.