§ 129.135. Natural gas-driven diaphragm pumps.
(a) Applicability. This section applies to the owner or operator of a natural gas-driven diaphragm pump subject to § 129.131(a)(3) (relating to general provisions and applicability) located at a well site or natural gas processing plant.
(b) VOC emissions limitation and control requirements. Except as specified in subsections (c) and (d), beginning December 2, 2023, the owner or operator of a natural gas-driven diaphragm pump subject to this section shall comply with the following:
(1) Conventional well site. The owner or operator of a natural gas-driven diaphragm pump located at a conventional well site shall reduce the VOC emissions by 95.0% by weight or greater. The owner or operator shall do the following:
(i) Connect the natural gas-driven diaphragm pump to a control device or process through a closed vent system that meets the applicable requirements of § 129.138(b) (relating to covers and closed vent systems).
(ii) Route the emissions from the natural gas-driven diaphragm pump to a control device or a process that meets the applicable requirements of § 129.139 (relating to control devices).
(iii) Demonstrate that the VOC emissions are reduced as specified in § 129.139(k).
(2) Natural gas processing plant. The owner or operator of a natural gas-driven diaphragm pump located at a natural gas processing plant shall maintain an emission rate of zero standard cubic feet per hour.
(c) Exceptions. The emissions limitations and control requirements in subsection (b) do not apply to the owner or operator of a natural gas-driven diaphragm pump located at a well site which meets one or more of the following:
(1) Routes emissions to a control device which is unable to reduce VOC emissions by 95.0% by weight or greater and there is no ability to route VOC emissions to a process. An owner or operator that claims this exception shall do the following:
(i) Maintain the records under § 129.140(d)(4) (relating to recordkeeping and reporting).
(ii) Connect the natural gas-driven diaphragm pump to the control device through a closed vent system that meets the requirements of § 129.138(b).
(iii) Demonstrate the percentage by which the VOC emissions are reduced as specified in § 129.139(k).
(2) Has no available control device or process. An owner or operator that claims this exception shall do the following:
(i) Maintain the records under § 129.140(d)(5).
(ii) Certify that there is no available control device or process in the next annual report required by § 129.140(k)(1).
(iii) Route emissions from the natural gas-driven diaphragm pump within 30 days of the installation of a control device or process. Once the emissions are routed to a control device or process, the certification of subparagraph (ii) is no longer required and the applicable requirements of this section shall be met.
(3) Is technically infeasible of connecting to a control device or process. An owner or operator that claims this exception shall do the following:
(i) Maintain the records under § 129.140(d)(6).
(ii) Perform an assessment of technical infeasibility which must meet the following:
(A) Be prepared under the supervision of an in-house engineer or qualified professional engineer.
(B) Include a technical analysis of safety considerations, the distance from an existing control device, the pressure losses and differentials in the closed vent system and the ability of the control device to handle the increase in emissions routed to them.
(C) Be certified, signed and dated by the engineer supervising the assessment, including the statement: ‘‘I certify that the assessment of technical infeasibility was prepared under my supervision. I further certify that the assessment was conducted and this report was prepared under the requirements of 25 Pa. Code § 129.135(c)(3). Based on my professional knowledge and experience, and inquiry of personnel involved in the assessment, the certification submitted herein is true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are penalties for knowingly submitting false information.’’
(d) Exemptions. The emissions limitations and control requirements in subsection (b) do not apply to the owner or operator of a natural gas-driven diaphragm pump located at a well site which operates less than 90 days per calendar year. An owner or operator claiming this exemption shall maintain the records under § 129.140(d)(3).
(e) Removal of control device or process. The owner or operator of a natural gas-driven diaphragm pump located at a well site that routes emissions to a control device or process which is removed or is no longer available shall comply with one of the exceptions in subsection (c), as applicable.
(f) Recordkeeping and reporting requirements. The owner or operator of a natural gas-driven diaphragm pump subject to this section shall maintain the records under § 129.140(d) and submit the reports under § 129.140(k)(3)(iii).
Authority The provisions of this § 129.135 added under section 5(a)(1) and (8) of the Air Pollution Act (35 P.S. § 4005(a)(1) and (8)).
Source The provisions of this § 129.135 added December 9, 2022, effective December 2, 2022, 52 Pa.B. 7635.
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 129.131 (relating to general provisions and applicability); 25 Pa. Code § 129.132 (relating to definitions, acronyms and EPA methods); 25 Pa. Code § 129.137 (relating to fugitive emissions components); 25 Pa. Code § 129.138 (relating to covers and closed vent systems); 25 Pa. Code § 129.139 (relating to control devices); and 25 Pa. Code § 129.140 (relating to recordkeeping and reporting).
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