Collectively, oil and gas facilities are the largest industrial emitters of methane in the U.S. While a great deal of information is available on the oil and gas industry and has to date provided a strong technical foundation to support the Agency’s recent actions, the EPA is now seeking more specific information that would be of critical use in addressing existing source emissions pursuant to Clean Air Act section 111(d). Taking into account the large number of sources that a national regulation development effort would need to consider, and the potential for taking a different approach to addressing co-located existing sources than was taken with new and modified sources, the EPA requires information that will enable the development of effective standards for this entire industry under CAA section 111(d).
There will be two parts to the information collection. Part 1, referred to as the operator survey, is specifically designed to obtain information from onshore oil and gas production facilities to better understand the number and types of equipment at production facilities. Part 2, referred to as the detailed facility survey, will be sent to selected oil and gas facilities across the different industry segments. Part 2 will collect detailed, unit-specific information on emission sources at the facility and any emission control devices or management practices used to reduce emissions. Due to the large number of potentially affected facilities, Part 2 uses a statistical sampling method considering each industry segment (and groupings of facilities in the production segment) to be separate sampling populations. Thus, a statistically significant number of facilities within each industry segment (or “population”) will be required to complete the Part 2 detailed facility survey.
The data collected throughout this process will be used to determine the number of potentially affected emission sources and the types and prevalence of emission controls or emission reduction measures used for these sources at existing oil and gas facilities, among other purposes. This information may also be used to fill data gaps, to evaluate the emission and cost impacts of various regulatory options, and to establish appropriate standards of performance for oil and gas facilities.
If OMB approves this ICR, respondents will be required to respond under the authority of section 114 of the CAA. The EPA anticipates issuing the CAA section 114 letters by late October, 2016. These letters would require the owner/operator of an oil and gas facility to complete and submit the Part 1 survey within 30 days of receipt of the survey, and would require facilities to complete and submit the Part 2 survey with 120 days of receipt.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
2548 Supporting Statement V3.docx
Part 2 Questionnaire