NC H172

Requires the Environmental Management Commission to adopt rules establishing technical standards and best management practices to minimize air pollutant emissions and leaks from natural gas exploration, development, production, processing, and compression activities.

Standards must address emissions and leaks from equipment including pneumatic controllers and pumps, compressors, wells, storage tanks, and dehydrators used in natural gas operations.

Mandates implementation of an instrument-based leak detection and repair program requiring routine equipment inspection and maintenance with expeditious repair timelines.

Rules must be adopted in consultation with the Mining and Energy Commission and shall consider emissions from horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing technologies.

Becomes effective upon enactment.