Gas STAR Gold Program
Introduction
•	Methane is an important short-lived climate pollutant and a potent
greenhouse gas, with 28 times the global warming potential of carbon
dioxide over a 100 year time horizon. The oil and gas sector is one of the
leading sources of anthropogenic methane emissions in the United States,
with annual emissions of approximately 160 million metric tonnes of
carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTCChe).
•	Since 1993, EPA's Natural Gas STAR Program has successfully collaborated
with the oil and natural gas industry on implementation of methane
reduction technologies and practices. Gas STAR Partners have identified
over 50 specific cost-effective technologies and practices, and have
reported over 1 trillion cubic feet in cumulative methane emissions
reductions.
•	EPA has also made progress in reducing methane emissions from the oil
and gas sector through regulatory action, since methane reductions are a
co-benefit of New Source Performance Standards aimed at reducing
volatile organic compounds from new and modified sources. However,
there still remains significant opportunity to further reduce methane
emissions.
•	The President's Climate Action Plan directed the Administration to develop
a comprehensive interagency strategy to reduce methane emissions. The
strategy sets forth a plan to reduce both domestic and international
methane emissions through incentive-based programs and the
Administration's existing authorities.
•	As part of that strategy, EPA will build on the success of the Natural Gas
STAR Program to provide an opportunity for oil and gas companies
interested in strengthening their commitment to reduce methane
emissions. Several companies have expressed interest in taking additional
steps to reduce methane emissions and this program would recognize and
encourage those efforts.
•	In the coming months, EPA will initiate a process for receiving and
incorporating stakeholder input on the proposed elements of an enhanced
Gas STAR "Gold" Program, with plans for a formal program launch in late
2014.
Overview
•	As an additional element of its successful Natural Gas STAR Program, EPA
is proposing a voluntary, facility-based, methane-reduction program for
leading oil and gas companies.
•	The proposed Gas STAR Gold Program will recognize facilities throughout
the oil production and the entire natural gas value chain - production,
gathering and boosting, processing, transmission, storage, and distribution
- that achieve "Gas STAR Gold" status. Facilities will achieve Gas STAR
Gold status by implementing a comprehensive suite of protocols for
reducing methane emissions through readily-available, cost-effective
technologies and best management practices.

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Goals of the Proposed
Gas STAR Gold Program
1.	Showcase facilities that are
already achieving methane
emissions reductions.
2.	Encourage facilities to identify
and implement opportunities to
achieve further methane
reductions.
3.	Create a framework for
credible, transparent, and
consistent reporting on facilities
that can be easily understood
and compared.
4.	Recognize progress that
companies are making in
achieving emissions reductions
relative to their overall
operations.
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Proposed Program
•	EPA has identified a set of approximately 20 high-emitting methane
sources at oil and gas facilities that form the core of the proposed Gas STAR
Gold Program. For each emissions source, EPA has identified a specific set
of "Gas STAR Gold protocols" based on best practices and technologies
identified through the Natural Gas STAR Program and, where applicable,
existing regulations such as New Source Performance Standards. To
achieve "Gold STAR status," a facility would implement all applicable
protocols at that facility.
•	EPA proposes to confer special recognition (e.g., Platinum level status)
upon companies that achieve Gas STAR Gold status for a high percentage
(to be specified) of their facilities.
Proposed Timeline
Dates & Milestones
April 2014
Outreach to stakeholders
begins, outlining the
framework for the Gas STAR
Gold Program
•	EPA estimates that the Gas STAR Gold program could achieve additional,
voluntary methane reductions of up to 14 MMT CChe annually within five
years.
•	The current Natural Gas STAR Program will continue to provide industry
partners with useful tools to achieve voluntary methane emissions
reductions, including annual reporting of achievements, technology
transfer workshops, and opportunities to promote information sharing.
Program Implementation
•	Implementation of the Gold STAR program is intended to ensure that the
program is transparent, minimizes partners' burden, and leverages
existing information and programs to the extent possible. For example,
EPA proposes to streamline reporting requirements for facilities seeking
Gold STAR status by using existing facility definitions from the petroleum
and natural gas systems source category (Subpart W) of the Greenhouse
Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) and leveraging data reported to the
GHGRP to the extent practicable.
•	EPA also proposes reporting on an annual basis for all Gold-STAR facilities,
and to conduct verification before recognizing each facility as a Gas STAR
Gold facility.
May 12, 2014
Natural Gas STAR Annual
Implementation Workshop,
including discussion of Gas
STAR Gold Program
Fall 2014
Formal stakeholder feedback
process
Finalization of program
elements and protocols
Launch of Gas STAR Gold
Program
January 2015
First Annual Gas STAR Gold
period begins
•	Recognition of Gas STAR Gold status for all facilities and participating
companies could be provided through the Natural Gas STAR Gold Program
website and at the annual conference.
•	EPA is proposing to provide a "Gas STAR Gold" label to acknowledge Gas
Star Gold facilities.
Spring 2016
First Annual Gas STAR Gold
reports due to EPA
• EPA will initiate a stakeholder feedback process and welcomes input on
the specific elements of the proposed Gas STAR Gold Program.
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