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Natural Gas STAR Program Partnership Agreement

The Natural Gas STAR Program is a flexible, voluntary partnership between EPA and the oil and natural gas industry aimed at demonstrating the cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits of methane emission reduction opportunities.
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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. Responsibilities for both parties and General Terms are outlined on the following page.
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Please select which sector segment(s) this partnership will cover (check all that apply):
☐ Production	 ☐ Gathering and Processing	☐ Transmission	 ☐ Distribution
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Authorized Partner Company Representative: (name and title)
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Name, Title 

Signature:                                                                                                 Date:                                 


EPA Representative:
Paul M. Gunning: Director, Climate Change Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Signature:                                                                                                  Date:                              
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Partner Designated Natural Gas STAR Implementation Manager:


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Name:                                                                                          
Title:                                                                                             
An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 57 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.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 57 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.
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E-mail:                                                                                        Address:                                                                                      
City/State/Zip:                                                                          
Telephone:                                                                                 
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EPA's Responsibilities
    Provide contact information for an EPA Program Manager to assist the Partner in Program implementation.
    Assist Partners with Program implementation with the following, as appropriate: 
 Analyzing and developing information on emerging technologies and practices; 
 Developing workshops and training courses; and 
 Providing technical assistance to Partners in implementing the Program Best Management Practices (BMPs) found at www.epa.gov/natural-gas-star-program
    Provide public recognition for Partner company commitments to the Program through acknowledgement on EPA's web site. 
    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.
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Natural Gas STAR Partner's Responsibilities
    Appoint a company representative as the Natural Gas STAR Program Implementation Manager responsible for implementing this voluntary agreement.
    Develop a company-specific approach for active participation in the Program, including identifying expected activities and scope of implementation.  This may include development of an Implementation Plan to be shared with EPA.
    Annually evaluate cost-effective methane emission reduction opportunities and voluntarily implement BMPs to the extent feasible across operations within the United States. 
    Engage and share information with the Program on voluntary emission reduction activities annually, including one or more of the following activities:
 Providing EPA with annual reports describing the BMPs implemented; 
 Presenting at a Natural Gas STAR workshop or other Program event; or
 Developing technical documents that can be shared with Partners, such as through the Natural Gas STAR website.
    Communicate participation to employees and cooperate with EPA efforts to publicize the Program.
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General Terms
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   This agreement can be terminated by either party at any time, with no penalties and no further obligation. EPA requests that Partners notify EPA immediately if they plan to withdraw from the Partnership. EPA agrees not to publicize a Partner's withdrawal from the Program.
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   The Partner agrees that the activities it undertakes connected with this agreement are not intended to provide services to the federal government and that the Partner will not seek compensation from a federal agency.
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   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.
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   The Partner agrees to only share non-Confidential Business Information (CBI) to fulfill Gas STAR Program requirements, and understands that information submitted to the Program is subject to the Freedom of Information Act.
Please sign this form and send to:
EPA Natural Gas STAR Program
USEPA Headquarters 
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW 
Mail Code: 6207A 
Washington, DC 20460
GasSTAR@epa.gov
If overnight, send to:  
1201 Constitution Ave NW 
Room Number 4353PP
Washington, DC 20004



