Natural Gas STAR Program: Memorandum of

Understanding for Distribution Companies

This is a voluntary agreement between
___________________________________________ (company name) and the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the purpose of reducing
methane releases to the atmosphere by implementing cost-effective
emission reduction technologies and practices.

Authorized Company
Representative:                            
                                    
      
                                  (nam
e)

Signature:                               
                                    
                 
                                  
Date:                               

Paul M. Gunning: Director, Climate Change Division, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency

Signature:                               
                                    
                 
                                  
Date:                               

Partner’s Designated Natural Gas STAR Implementation Manager:

Name:                                 
                                    
                                    
                                    
                          

Title:
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                        

Address:
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                  

City/State/Zip:
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
         

Telephone/Fax:
                                    
                               E-mail:
                                    
                                   

Partner’s Media Liaison/Public Relations Manager:

Name:
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                      

Title:
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                        

Address:
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                  

City/State/Zip:
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
         

Telephone/Fax:
                                    
                               E-mail:
                                    
                                   

EPA’s Responsibilities

Assign a STAR Service Representative responsible for assisting the
partner in implementing the Program.

Assist partners with Program implementation by: (1) analyzing emerging
technologies and practices; (2) developing workshops and training
courses; and (3) assisting in the removal of regulatory barriers to
implementing Program BMPs, when appropriate.

Provide partners with public recognition for their commitment to the
Program through advertisements, press releases, articles, and awards.

Recognize partners for methane emission reductions achieved before
joining the Program, back to 1993.

EPA will only release information obtained from the partner company
without prior authorization from that company if required to do so under
the Freedom of Information Act, the Agency’s regulations at 40 CFR
part 2, subpart B, or other applicable law.

Natural Gas STAR Partner’s Responsibilities

Appoint a company representative as the Natural Gas STAR Program
Implementation Manager responsible for implementing this voluntary
agreement.

Submit an implementation plan within six months of signing this
agreement outlining expected activities and scope of implementation.

Implement, within three years, applicable BMPs and PROs at facilities in
the United States as outlined in the implementation plan when
cost-effective (as defined by the partner).

Submit annual reports describing the BMPs and PROs implemented, the cost
of implementation, and the associated methane emissions reductions.
Annual reports must be signed to certify the accuracy of data contained
in the report. 

Communicate participation to employees and cooperate with EPA efforts to
publicize the Program.

General Terms

This agreement can be terminated by either party at any time, with no
notice or penalties and no further obligation. EPA agrees not to
publicize a partner’s withdrawal from the Program.

The partner agrees that the activities it undertakes connected with this
MOU are not intended to provide services to the federal government and
that the partner will not seek compensation from a federal agency.

The partner agrees that it will not claim or imply that its
participation in the Program constitutes EPA approval or endorsement of
anything other than the commitment to the Program.

The partner must report the previous year’s emission reduction
activities annually. If a partner does not submit an annual report, the
Natural Gas STAR Program will initiate a three step removal process.
Details of this process can be provided upon request.

OMB Control No. 2060-0328

Expires 09/30/2018

The Natural Gas STAR Program is a flexible, non-regulatory partnership
between EPA and the oil and natural gas industry aimed at demonstrating
the cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits of methane emission
reduction opportunities.

The recommended Natural Gas STAR Best Management Practices (BMPs) for
Distribution Companies have been jointly identified by EPA and the
industry as cost-effective options for reducing methane emissions.

Partner Reported Opportunities (PROs) are additional methane emission
reduction options reported by partner companies. PROs can reduce gas
loss, increase profits, and improve operational efficiency.

Best Management Practices

Directed inspection and maintenance at gate stations and surface
facilities.

Identify and rehabilitate leaky distribution pipe.

Partner Reported Opportunities

Identify and implement other cost-effective methane emission reduction
management technologies and practices.

Please fax this form to:

EPA Natural Gas STAR Program

c/o Jerome Blackman

Fax: (202) 343-2342

EPA Form No. 5900-98

The public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 59 hours per response. Send comments
on the Agency’s need for this information, the accuracy of the
provided burden estimates, and any suggested methods for minimizing
respondent burden, including through the use of automated collection
techniques to the Director, Collection Strategies Division, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (2822T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW,
Washington, D.C. 20460. Include the OMB control number in any
correspondence. Do not send the completed form to this address.

