{"id":5156,"date":"2013-10-01T20:51:46","date_gmt":"2013-10-01T20:51:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/?p=5156"},"modified":"2013-10-01T21:26:12","modified_gmt":"2013-10-01T21:26:12","slug":"bringing-fugitives-to-justice-in-wyoming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/2013\/10\/01\/bringing-fugitives-to-justice-in-wyoming\/","title":{"rendered":"Bringing Fugitives To Justice In Wyoming"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Source: Scott Dalton for The New York Times<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When it comes to healthy air, what you can\u2019t see\u00a0can<\/em>\u00a0hurt you.<\/p>\n

Leaks of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and methane, the primary components in natural gas, may be invisible \u2013 but that doesn\u2019t mean they are harmless.\u00a0 These leaks \u2013 called \u201cfugitive\u201d\u00a0emissions \u2013\u00a0can create serious air quality problems<\/a>\u00a0when VOC’s are involved. Meanwhile, methane leaks<\/a> mean less product available for sale and a wasted resource.<\/p>\n

But, while you can\u2019t always see leaks with the naked eye, you can use modern technology to help you detect and fix them. \u00a0Cameras that use infrared technology to \u201csee\u201d leaking hydrocarbons and inexpensive hand held sensors that measure leaks are commonly used to help operators find and fix leaking equipment.\u00a0 Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) programs that require operators to check for leaks frequently using these modern technologies, and expeditiously repair them, can produce huge air quality benefits.\u00a0 Such programs are currently required in permits for a number of operators in Wyoming\u2019s Jonah Pinedale Anticline Development Area.<\/p>\n

Wyoming regulators are working on a proposal to expand this requirement by mandating LDAR programs across the Upper Green River Basin, where ozone pollution fails to meet federal health-based standards.\u00a0 The Wyoming program, which was presented to the state\u2019s Air Quality Advisory Board last week, is an excellent start. This program, with one important modification, will help the state improve the air quality and health of local residents and start to catch more \u201cfugitives\u201d \u2013 which are the second biggest source of VOC emissions<\/a> in the UGRB and projected to be the largest source of VOC emissions in Southwestern Wyoming by 2015.<\/p>\n

Admittedly, this may seem like an arcane, acronym-laden issue \u2013 but the concept is simple: ensuring operators use the best, modern technology available to find and fix leaks in their equipment.\u00a0 These leaks both pollute the air we breathe and waste their product. In fact, strong LDAR programs may be the best, most cost-effective way to get these leaks fixed and pollution reduced. \u00a0And that is why other states should pay attention to what Wyoming is doing.<\/p>\n

While there is more that could be done, Wyoming\u2019s willingness to step up and build consensus around reasonable efforts to cut down on harmful air pollution from oil and gas operations exhibits true leadership on an important issue.\u00a0 The state\u2019s proposal will require operators to inspect all new and modified facilities with more than four tons per year of fugitive VOC emissions in the nonattainment area on at least a quarterly basis. \u00a0Once located, these leaks will have to be fixed.<\/p>\n

These proposed LDAR requirements<\/a> improve on existing state standards in a few key ways:<\/p>\n