Gas transmission industry expresses concern with EPA’s new methane proposal

WASHINGTON— Don Santa, president and chief executive officer of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, today said the natural gas transmission industry is concerned about the Environmental Protection Agency proposed methane regulations, released today.

“While we haven’t had a chance to review fully the 500-plus page proposal, INGAA is concerned that some aspects of the EPA’s methane proposal would be impossible to implement cost-effectively, and that the regulations, if implemented, could adversely affect the reliability of interstate natural gas pipelines.

“We intend to analyze the proposal fully and to file comments with EPA.

“INGAA member members have a strong history of working with EPA on voluntary emissions programs. We are disappointed that EPA chose to opt for mandatory reductions for new and modified facilities.

“INGAA, at the request of its board, recently developed industry guidelines for Directed Inspection and Maintenance (DI&M) that include routine screening for leaks followed by cost-effective repair or maintenance at natural gas pipeline facilities. INGAA will work with research groups to create a roadmap for developing technological innovations, including better leak-quantification tools and cost-effective mitigation, which have the potential to make DI&M even more effective.

“The natural gas transmission industry also is working to reduce leaks along its pipeline system. The number of leaks dropped 94 percent in the past 30 years, thanks to pipeline integrity and maintenance programs and continued investment in new pipeline facilities. This prevented 122 million metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions, the equivalent of removing nearly one million cars from the road each year during that 30-year period."