Natural Gas STAR Program: Memorandum of

Understanding for international 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 Code/Postal
Code:                                 
                                    
                                    
                                    

Country:
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    
                  

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.

Natural Gas STAR Partner’s Responsibilities

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

2. Submit an implementation plan within one year of signing this
agreement outlining expected activities and scope of implementation. 

3. Implement, within three years, applicable technologies and operation
& maintenance practices at facilities as outlined in the implementation
plan when cost-effective (as defined by the partner). 

4. Submit annual reports describing the measures implemented, the cost
of implementation, and the associated methane emission reductions. 

5. 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.

OMB Control No. 2060-0328

Expires 09/30/2018

 The Natural Gas STAR Program is a flexible, non-regulatory, and
voluntary partnership between the EPA and the international oil and
natural gas industry aimed at facilitating and accounting for
cost-effective methane emission reductions worldwide. 

The Natural Gas STAR Program has identified technologies and operating &
maintenance practices in use by industry as cost-effective options for
reducing methane emissions. A complete listing of these measures can be
found at epa.gov/gasstar. 

Please send completed forms to:

Carey Bylin

Natural Gas STAR Program

International Programs Leader

Phone: +1 (202) 343-9669

Fax: +1 (202) 343-2202

E-mail: bylin.carey@epa.gov

Standard Mail:

Carey Bylin

Natural Gas STAR Program

U.S. EPA (6207J)

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20460

U.S.A.

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.

