EIB 26-78 (R): Proposed Adoption of 20.2.51 NMAC – Methane Abatement

The Environmental Improvement Board will consider NMED’s petition to adopt proposed new rule 20.2.51 NMAC, Methane Abatement. The proposal would establish a state methane super-emitter program: qualified entities could seek certification as third-party notifiers and submit detections made with approved remote methane-sensing technologies. A super-emitter event is defined as a detected emissions event with a quantified methane rate of at least 50 kg/hr. NMED would review notifications and provide them to owners or operators of sources within 50 meters; operators would investigate the event, repair responsible leaks, and report their findings to NMED. The proposal would also require zero methane emissions from designated facilities with natural-gas-driven process controllers, including gathering and boosting stations, processing plants, tank batteries, transmission compressor stations, and well sites. It sets out exemptions, closed-vent-system design and operating requirements, inspections of closed-vent systems and self-contained controllers, and annual reporting of inspections and repairs. The hearing is open to the public and allows technical testimony, general public testimony, written comments, and cross-examination. The Board may act on the proposal after hearing the testimony and evidence.

The Environmental Improvement Board will consider NMED’s petition to adopt proposed new rule 20.2.51 NMAC, Methane Abatement. The proposal would establish a state methane super-emitter program: qualified entities could seek certification as third-party notifiers and submit detections made with approved remote methane-sensing technologies. A super-emitter event is defined as a detected emissions event with a quantified methane rate of at least 50 kg/hr. NMED would review notifications and provide them to owners or operators of sources within 50 meters; operators would investigate the event, repair responsible leaks, and report their findings to NMED. The proposal would also require zero methane emissions from designated facilities with natural-gas-driven process controllers, including gathering and boosting stations, processing plants, tank batteries, transmission compressor stations, and well sites. It sets out exemptions, closed-vent-system design and operating requirements, inspections of closed-vent systems and self-contained controllers, and annual reporting of inspections and repairs. The hearing is open to the public and allows technical testimony, general public testimony, written comments, and cross-examination. The Board may act on the proposal after hearing the testimony and evidence.

The docket lists North Dakota Industrial Commission oil-and-gas applications concerning Bakken Pool spacing units, field-boundary amendments, and horizontal-well authorizations; pooling interests; commingling oil, gas, and vapor-recovery unit gas at central production facilities, including well-testing procedures; and authorizations for Dakota Group saltwater-disposal wells and a permit modification. Applications cite NDCC § 38-08-08 and NDAC §§ 43-02-03-88.1 and 43-02-03-48.1, as well as NDAC Chapter 43-02-05.

The docket includes applications concerning Bakken and Three Forks field rules, pool boundaries, spacing units, well authorizations, and pooling of interests. Other matters address commingling oil and gas production at central production facilities and applications to drill vertical or directional saltwater-disposal wells under NDAC Chapter 43-02-05. Cases 33335–33375 include applications from operators including 1776 Disposals, Cornerstone Natural Resources, Continental Resources, EOG Resources, Devon Energy, Hunt Oil, Phoenix Operating, KODA Resources, Formentera Operations, Heberdev Operating, and Argent Midstream Solutions.

En banc legislative-style hearing in Case PC72 concerning large load customer regulations and tariffs interconnecting to the electric system serving Maryland.

The Potomac Edison Company’s application seeks a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to rebuild the Messick Road-Ridgeley 138-kilovolt transmission line in Allegany County, Maryland. The proceeding is an en banc evidentiary hearing.

The proceeding concerns large-load customer regulations and tariffs interconnecting to the electric system servicing Maryland.

Co-hosted by SPE FMTS and TÜV SÜD NEL, this technical forum focuses on defensible, traceable flow measurement for production, allocation, custody transfer, emissions reporting, regulatory compliance, commercial settlement, and emerging-energy applications. The program is being developed around six technical sessions, with moderated discussion and posters; final session groupings are to be set after abstracts are reviewed. Topics include field measurement challenges across changing operating conditions and brownfield or offshore installations; meter design, manufacturing controls, technology selection, and quality assurance; calibration, qualification, laboratory-to-field transferability, and uncertainty; deployment, diagnostics, data quality, and continuous assurance; single-phase measurement, custody transfer, and allocation; CCUS, hydrogen, methane, and emerging-energy measurement; and validation, governance, and decision-grade evidence. Specific issues include meter performance limits, sensor and meter-body design, traceability, reference quality, commissioning and configuration control, anomaly detection, fiscal measurement assurance, emissions evidence, uncertainty propagation, and criteria for recalibrating, repairing, or replacing meters.

Industry leaders and commissioners discuss issues facing the electric, natural gas, water, and telecommunications industries. The program includes a CEO and Industry Leaders Panel on “The Future of the Industry” and a Commissioner Grill where conference participants submit questions to moderators.

The discussion examines market opportunities, infrastructure requirements, technology pathways, and practical challenges for lower-carbon marine fuels, including differences in commercial readiness, cost, emissions performance, vessel compatibility, and infrastructure needs. Topics include maritime decarbonization and fuel demand; ethanol, biodiesel, renewable natural gas, bio-LNG, hydrogen, and ammonia; Great Lakes and Mississippi River supply chains; port demand; and actionable opportunities for Minnesota agriculture and renewable energy. The keynote addresses agricultural supply, slowing food demand, pressure on traditional ethanol markets, and the potential for new fuel markets to support farm profitability. A pathways panel compares ethanol, biodiesel, and bio-LNG, covering supply infrastructure, engine and vessel compatibility, carbon accounting, costs, deployment at commercial scale, pipeline access, and coastal liquefaction. A logistics panel examines Midwest-to-vessel supply chains, Great Lakes opportunities, vessel-size limits, and fuel requirements at major ports. An interactive session considers bio-methanol and green ammonia, hydrogen investment and availability, CO₂ sourcing, fuel handling and combustion, and tradeoffs among fertilizer, transportation fuel, and other hydrogen uses. The closing discussion focuses on Minnesota’s next steps.