Washington, DC, August 16, 2023 – AFPM, AGA, API, APGA, GPA Midstream, IPAA, and INGAA (the Associations) submitted comments on Wednesday, August 16, in response to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)’s proposed Pipeline Safety: Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair rule.
The Associations support the intent of the proposed rule, which was mandated by Congress, and share PHMSA’s goal of addressing methane emissions. However, based on the proposed rule, it is the perception of the Associations that PHMSA has gone beyond its congressional mandate and needs to make substantial changes to accomplish our mutual goal of reducing methane emissions. We look forward to working with PHMSA, pipeline safety stakeholders, and the public as this process continues. We remain hopeful that the final rule results in meaningful, achievable regulation that will appropriately balance public safety and environmental protection and would protect the interests of the more than 200 million Americans and our global allies who rely on natural gas to be delivered safely, reliably, and affordably.
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The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) is the leading trade association representing the makers of the fuels that keep us moving, the petrochemicals that are the essential building blocks for modern life, and the midstream companies that get our feedstocks and products where they need to go. We make the products that make life better, safer and more sustainable — we make progress.
The American Gas Association, founded in 1918, represents more than 200 local energy companies that deliver clean natural gas throughout the United States. There are more than 77 million residential, commercial and industrial natural gas customers in the U.S., of which 96 percent — more than 74 million customers — receive their gas from AGA members. AGA is an advocate for natural gas utility companies and their customers and provides a broad range of programs and services for member natural gas pipelines, marketers, gatherers, international natural gas companies, and industry associates. Today, natural gas meets nearly one-third of the United States’ energy needs.
APGAis the only not-for-profit trade organization representing America’s publicly owned natural gas local distribution companies (LDCs). APGA represents the interests of public gas before Congress, federal agencies and other energy-related stakeholders by developing regulatory and legislative policies that further the goals of our members. In addition, APGA organizes meetings, seminars, and workshops with a specific goal to improve the safety, reliability, operational efficiency, and regulatory environment in which public gas systems operate.
API represents all segments of America’s natural gas and oil industry, which supports more than 11 million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. Our 600 members produce, process and distribute the majority of the nation’s energy, and participate in API Energy Excellence®, which is accelerating environmental and safety progress by fostering new technologies and transparent reporting. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization and has developed more than 800 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.
GPA Midstream has served the U.S. energy industry since 1921. GPA Midstream is composed of nearly 60 corporate members that directly employ 55,000 employees that are engaged in the gathering, transportation, processing, treating, storage and marketing of natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), crude oil and refined products, commonly referred to in the industry as “midstream activities.”
The Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) is a national upstream trade association representing thousands of independent oil and natural gas producers and service companies across the United States. Independent producers develop 91 percent of the nation’s oil and natural gas wells. These companies account for 83 percent of America’s oil production, 90 percent of its natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGL) production, and support over 4.5 million American jobs.
INGAA represents the U.S. natural gas pipeline industry. INGAA’s members deliver clean, abundant, affordable natural gas throughout North America and operate approximately 200,000 miles of pipelines that serve as an indispensable link between natural gas producers and consumers.
