Program 

Reducing Methane Emissions 

Increasing Efficiency 

Maximizing Profits 

ural Gas STAR 
The Natural Gas STAR Program is an exciting opportunity for the 

natural gas industry to pursue and accomplish environmental protection through cost-effective measures. The Program, launched in 1993, encourages natural gas companies to adopt strategies that can profitably reduce emissions of methane—the primary component of natural gas. 
am Overview 

STAR Program is one of many 

ms established by the U.S. 

otection Agency (EPA) to promote 

stry partnerships that encourage cost

based approaches to reducing 

GHG) emissions. Natural Gas STAR 

rs of the natural gas industry— 

ering, processing, transmission, and 

dentify and implement technologies and 

ce emissions of methane, a potent 

ng the Program, EPA worked closely 

as industry to create a flexible, 

 program that is easy to administer. 

est Management Practices (BMPs), 

ted through a collaborative process 

d natural gas industry advisers, are 

 to the industry and cost-effective for 

 

Why Decrease Emissions? Through use of cost-effective technologies and procedures, companies can reduce methane emissions and therefore: • Increase efficiency. The use of improved technologies 

and procedures helps improve operational efficiency in all sectors of the natural gas industry. 

• Maximize profits. Reducing methane loss and 

improving efficiency saves money that can be reinvested or credited directly to the bottom line. 

• Protect the environment. Methane, the primary 

component of natural gas, is a potent greenhouse gas— 21 times stronger than carbon dioxide. Methane reduction helps reduce climate change impacts. 

1 
Today, the Natural Gas STAR Program is recognized Natural Gas STAR provides an opportunity 

for its many successes. Since the Program’s launch for companies to take their corporate climate in 1993, Natural Gas STAR partners have eliminated commitment one step further. By reporting methane more than 220 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of methane emissions reductions to EPA, partners help build emissions, resulting in approximately $660 million in a sustainable future and create a lasting record of increased revenues. Membership in the Program has their accomplishments. They also identify themselves grown to include nearly 100 companies, and the as environmental leaders and strategically Program has received endorsements from almost position themselves as climate change issues a dozen major industry trade associations. continue to unfold. 

How Much is 220 Bcf? highways or planting 26 million acres of trees. That’s enough natural gas to heat more than 3 million homes for 1 year, and the carbon equivalent of removing almost 20 million cars from the nation’s 

“ Our goal is to have 100 percent of our members participate in 

cost-effective programs like Natural Gas STAR. They'll help improve our energy efficiency and reduce methane and other greenhouse gas emissions while keeping the economy growing.” 

—Red Cavaney, American Petroleum Institute President and CEO 
he Program in 

Easy Steps 

. STEP 2. Develop an Implementation Plan. 

rtner, you simply review and sign the Once EPA receives your MOU, you will be contacted 

orandum of Understanding (MOU). By by a program manager who can assist you in planning 

, your company and EPA agree to 

ctivities outlined in steps 2 & 3. 

s Your Program 

which activities and technologies are 

cost-effective for your operations. 

participating at a level that best suits 

nd operations. 

 that implementation of specific 

mandatory, and implementation plans 

 

ate the partnership at any time with 

rther obligation, or publicity. 

your company’s participation and implementation strategy. Natural Gas STAR can also provide a variety of tools to assist you in implementing the Program in your operations. The first step is developing an implementation plan—based on corporate business objectives, available resources, and potential methane reduction possibilities—that outlines BMPs, Partner Reported Opportunities (PROs), and other emissions reductions activities your company plans to implement. EPA has developed A Hands-on Guide to Implementing the Natural Gas STAR Program to guide you through the program’s milestones and support your company’s efforts to initiate projects that reduce methane emissions. Also, EPA staff are always willing to personally assist in the development of your implementation plan. 3 
Natural Gas STAR Key Components 

Best Management Practices (BMPs)—a set of cost-effective, 

widely applicable methane emissions reductions opportunities/options, aimed at reducing leaks and process venting from the largest sources, which were jointly identified by EPA and gas industry representatives. 

Partner Reported Opportunities (PROs)—unique activities 

(e.g., practices, process changes, or technologies) that companies have identified and implemented—in addition to the core set of BMPs—to cost-effectively reduce methane emissions. 

t into our methane reduction program in that 

ow to do the things we were already doing a 

It showed us what some of the partners were 

 the equipment that they were using, rather 

t that we used in the past; and it showed us 

ake account of methane emissions.” 

—James Frederick, Unocal Gulf Region USA 

STEP 3. Submit Annual Progress Reports. Following implementation, your company submits annual reports documenting the previous year’s emissions reductions activities. In addition to annual emissions reductions reports, Natural Gas STAR partners are encouraged to report historical emissions reductions actions back to 1990. Companies that account for these historical reductions and submit them to EPA create a permanent record of a company’s methane emissions reductions efforts. Although all data submitted to EPA remain confidential, partners often use emissions reductions data to identify themselves as environmental leaders 

and position themselves to meet new climate challenges head-on. 

Online data collection tools and Web-enabled annual reporting forms allow Natural Gas STAR partners to quickly and easily submit their emissions reduction data to EPA. You are also free to devise your own reporting format (e.g., tracking databases, spreadsheets). 
emissions programs, and to share with other partners information on cutting edge 

technology for reducing emissions.” 

ocessing 

booster stations. 

facilities.* or when retiring reciprocating engines. ** 

* BMPs typically reported by distribution sector partners. ** BMPs typically reported by transmission sector partners. 

5 

“ The Natural Gas STAR Program allows partners to be recognized for their methane 

—David Davidowitz, Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. 

d replace high-bleed pneumatic devices. 

sh tank separators on glycol dehydrators. 

nd implement additional activities or PROs that 

ne emissions profitably. 

as pneumatics with instrument air systems. 

sh tank separators on glycol dehydrators. 

nt directed inspection and maintenance (DI&M) 

nd implement additional activities or PROs that 

ne emissions profitably. 

Transmission and Distribution • BMP I: Implement DI&M programs at gate stations and surface • BMP II: Identify and rehabilitate leaky distribution pipes.* • BMP III: Implement DI&M programs at compressor stations. ** • BMP IV: Use turbines at compressor stations for new installations • BMP V: Identify and replace high-bleed pneumatic devices. ** • BMP VI: Identify and implement additional activities or PROs that 

can reduce methane emissions profitably. 

Information on these technologies and practices can be found in the Natural Gas STAR Lessons Learned and the PRO Fact Sheets located on the Natural Gas STAR Web site at www.epa.gov/gasstar. 

STAR Best Management Practices 
Benefits of Joining the 

Natural Gas STAR Program


Increase Profits Companies experience many benefits by becoming a Natural Gas STAR partner—one of the most notable is financial savings. Since the Program’s launch in 1993, not only have partners reduced methane emissions, but they have saved $660 million. In 2001 alone, the average Natural Gas STAR partner reported more than $230,000 in savings. Engage in Technology Transfer: The Key to Natural Gas STAR Partnership Natural Gas STAR partners are at the forefront of methane emissions reductions technology. Gas STAR draws upon this wealth of partner-provided information 

and presents its partners with many opportunities to learn about methane emissions reductions technologies and techniques. Resources available to all Gas STAR partners include: • Detailed Methane Reduction Technology Reports • Partner Reported Opportunity Fact Sheets • Partner Company Case Studies • Technology Transfer Workshops • Annual Implementation Workshop EPA also analyzes emerging technologies to help identify and evaluate equipment and process changes that might lead to reduced methane emissions and improved operations for Natural Gas STAR partners. 
egulatory Issues 

 STAR Program encourages federal, 

officials to consider regulatory flexibility 

ccount voluntary Gas STAR partner 

 methane emissions. 

ational Recognition 

R partners enjoy a number of public 

nities. EPA regularly recognizes them 

tes and Bulletins. Natural Gas 

ly Partner Update newsletter and 

ns highlight the successes and 

nts of partners and the Program, and 

PROs and emerging technologies. 

 Natural Gas STAR partner case 

ompanies learn how others have 

Program activities—from a company’s 

 to evaluating its BMPs and PROs 

g its results. 

• PRO Fact Sheets. The Program develops fact 

sheets on PROs to provide partners with new ideas and basic information for evaluating the economic feasability of implementing partner-reported methane reduction techniques and technologies. 

• Press Releases. EPA circulates press releases on 

its annual recognition awards and new partners. 

• Journal Articles. Articles featuring Natural Gas STAR 

partner achievements and Program activities often appear in national journals such as the American Gas Journal, Oil & Gas
Journal, Hydrocarbon
Processing, Pipeline and Gas
Journal, and American Oil
and Gas Reporter.


• Public Service 

Announcements. Natural Gas STAR public service announcements listing successful partners and their accomplishments have appeared in the Harvard Business Review, American Gas, and Pipe Line & Gas Industry, and other 

periodicals of the American Petroleum Institute. 

7 
ed as an Environmental Leader 

able results of joining Natural Gas STAR, aside from the cost savings, 

for making a commitment to a better environment by employing 

 techniques and sound management practices to reduce methane 

93, Natural Gas STAR partners have prevented more than 220 billion 

ethane emissions thereby helping to protect the environment and to 

future. 

a partner since 2000, and put forth the effort to 

ment our program. It has paid off not only in 

d environmental protection, but we also 

ner of the Year Award. This award from EPA is 

ke.” 

—James Meier, Pioneer Natural Resources, USA 

• Partner of the Year Award. Each year, EPA presents 

a “Partner of the Year” award to one company from each sector that made exceptional progress in reducing methane emissions. Past recipients include: Atlanta Gas, Bay State Gas Company, BP, Brooklyn Union, ChevronTexaco Corporation, ConocoPhillips, Columbia Gas and Columbia Gulf Transmission, Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Duke Energy Gas Transmission, Enron Transportation Services, ExxonMobil Production Company, KerrMcGee Oil and Gas, Marathon Oil Company, PECO Energy, Pioneer Natural Resources USA Inc., and Southwest Gas. 

• Other Awards. In addition to the “Partner of the 

Year” award, EPA recognizes other partners for “Continuing Excellence,” identifies an annual “Implementation Manager of the Year,” and applauds outstanding new partners as “Rookies of the Year.” 
“ It’s such a positive program and it’s a win-win situation for both the 

natural gas industry as well as for the environment. It’s a very strong cooperative program between the private sector and the government. It’s really the best of what we have in America.” 

—David Parker, American Gas Association 

more about the Natural Gas STAR Program, visit the Web site at www.epa.gov/gasstar. 
2

otection Agency 

adiation (6202J) 

 

star 

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