Regulatory Compliance & Environmental Issues Flashcards

The Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 grants the federal government authority to:

Answer: Lease federally owned fossil fuels including oil, gas, and coal on public lands

The Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 established the framework for leasing federally owned oil, gas, coal, and other fossil fuel resources on public lands.

Which regulation requires operators to control methane emissions from new and modified oil and gas facilities, including pneumatic controllers and storage vessels?

Answer: EPA NSPS Subpart OOOO and OOOOa

EPA's New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) Subpart OOOO and OOOOa set emission standards for methane and VOCs from new and modified oil and gas equipment.

Under the Clean Water Act Section 404, a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers is required when an operator:

Answer: Places dredge or fill material into waters of the United States

CWA Section 404 requires an Army Corps permit before depositing dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, including wetlands.

A 'Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure' (SPCC) plan is required under which regulation, and for facilities storing more than how many gallons of oil?

Answer: CWA Section 311; more than 1,320 gallons aboveground aggregate with risk to navigable waters

CWA Section 311 and 40 CFR Part 112 require an SPCC plan for facilities with aboveground oil storage capacity exceeding 1,320 gallons that could reasonably discharge to navigable waters.

In federal offshore operations, which agency has primary jurisdiction over worker safety and environmental compliance under OCSLA?

Answer: BSEE for safety and environmental enforcement; BOEM for leasing and resource management

Following the Deepwater Horizon disaster, MMS was reorganized; BSEE handles safety/environmental enforcement while BOEM manages leasing and resource assessment on the OCS.

What is the purpose of a 'Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan' (SWPPP) under the EPA's NPDES Construction General Permit?

Answer: To identify and implement best management practices controlling stormwater runoff from construction sites

A SWPPP identifies potential pollutant sources and describes BMPs to prevent stormwater contamination during land-disturbing construction activities.

Under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106, federal agencies must consult with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) when:

Answer: A federal undertaking may affect properties listed or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places

Section 106 requires federal agencies to consult with the SHPO (and THPO for tribal lands) before approving actions that could affect historic properties eligible for or on the National Register.