In the latest installment of our video series on important regulatory and legislative updates, Partner Jeff Oliver discusses the letter President Biden sent to FTC Chair Lina Khan encouraging an investigation into oil and gas companies and retail gasoline prices. In other antitrust news, the Senate confirmed Jonathan Kanter to lead the DOJ antitrust division on Tuesday, November 16. On Wednesday, November 17, the Senate held confirmation hearings for Alvaro Bedoya, President Biden's nominee for the empty seat at the Federal Trade Commission.
Senior Associate Kimberly White provides an updates on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed New Source Performance Standards ("NSPS") and Emissions Guidelines (EGs) for methane emissions from new and existing oil and gas sources.
Key features of the proposed rules and EGs include:
A comprehensive monitoring program for well sites and compressor stations.
Flexibility to use advanced measurement technology to detect leaks at well sites and compressor stations.
New requirements for zero-emitting pneumatic controllers and intermittent vent pneumatic controllers.
Standards to eliminate venting of associated gas, and require capture and sale of gas where a sales line is available, at new and existing oil wells.
Proposed performance standards and presumptive standards for other new and existing sources, including storage tanks, liquids unloading, pneumatic pumps, and compressors.
A requirement that states meaningfully engage with overburdened and underserved communities in developing state plans.
EPA will take comment on the proposed rule for 60 days or until January 14, 2022. The agency plans to issue the final rule by the end of 2022.
