PADEP Publishes Final GP-5, Proposes Revisions to “Plant Approval and Operating Permit Exemptions”
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection on Saturday issued notices in the Pennsylvania Bulletin announcing (1) that the DEP has finalized revisions to its GP-5, a general permit that pertains to emission limits at natural gas-fired engines and equipment at compressor stations and/or processing facilities; and (2) the DEP has proposed revisions to its “Plant Approval and Operating Permit Exemptions” for air emission sources, which includes a proposed exemption from the air quality plan approval process for air emission sources at well drilling sites. According to the DEP’s press release, the revisions to the GP-5 will “impose emissions limits that are 75 to 90 percent stricter than current limits for the largest, most common types of engines used at compressor stations.” The DEP will accept comments from the public regarding its proposed revisions to its “Plant Approval and Operating Permit Exemptions” through March 19, 2013.