Proposed changes to air quality permit announced

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is publishing in the Texas Register proposed revisions to permitting for the Air Quality Standard Permit for Oil and Gas Handling and Production Facilities, which is used to authorize oil and gas facilities in the Barnett Shale region of North Central Texas. The revisions would remove Archer, Bosque, Clay, Comanche, Coryell, Eastland, Shackelford and Stephens counties from the applicability of the standard permit.  The removal of these counties is based on an evaluation of population density and density of Barnett Shale oil and gas facilities within the counties.  New facilities within the counties must continue to be authorized using another version of the standard permit in TCEQ rules or permit by rule.  The proposed revisions would also allow compliance with a local ordinance requiring a separation between an oil and gas facility and residences, buildings, and other areas used by the public of 50 feet or greater to meet all state separation requirements. 

The TCEQ is proposing identical changes to the permit by rule, which is also used in the Barnett Shale region.  The TCEQ is also proposing to amend the permit by rule to extend the date from January 1, 2013 to January 5, 2015 for owners and operators of existing facilities in the Barnett Shale region to notify the TCEQ of their location and method of authorization.

The TCEQ will conduct a public meeting on the proposed revisions to the standard permit and a concurrent public hearing on the proposed amendments to the permit by rule on July 10, 2012 at 7:00 p.m., at the TCEQ Dallas/Fort Worth Regional Office, located at 2309 Gravel Drive, Fort Worth Texas. Call the TCEQ’s Office of Air, Air Permits Division, at 512-239-1250 for copies of the proposed Standard Permit for Oil and Gas Production Facilities or go to the TCEQ website. 

Comments may be mailed to Beecher Cameron, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Office of Air, Air Permits Division, MC 163, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087; filed electronically; or faxed to 512-239-1070. All comments should reference the standard permit for oil and gas production facilities. Comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. on July 16, 2012.

Si desea información en Español, puede llamar al 800-687-4040.