OMB Control No. 2060-0328 

Expires 07/31/2011 

NATURAL GAS STAR PROGRAM: MEMORANDUM OF

UNDERSTANDING FOR DISTRIBUTION COMPANIES

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. 

Authorized Company Representative: (name) 

Signature: Date: 

Reid Harvey: Acting Director, Climate Change Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

Signature: Date: 

Partner’s Designated Natural Gas STAR Implementation Manager: 

Name: 

Title: 

Address: 

City/State/Zip: 

Telephone/Fax: E-mail: 

Partner’s Media Liaison/Public Relations Manager: 

Name: 

Title: 

Address: 

City/State/Zip: 

Telephone/Fax: E-mail: 

EPA’s Responsibilities 

1. Assign a STAR Service Representative responsible for assisting the partner in implementing the Program. 

2. Assist partners with Program implementation by: (1) analyzing emerging technologies and practices; (2) 

developing workshops and training courses; and (3) assisting in the removal of regulatory barriers to 

implementing Program BMPs, when appropriate. 

3. Provide partners with public recognition for their commitment to the Program through advertisements, 

press releases, articles, and awards. 

4. Recognize partners for methane emission reductions achieved before joining the Program, back to 1993. 

5. 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. 

Natural Gas STAR Partner’s Responsibilities 

1. Appoint a company representative as the Natural Gas STAR Program Implementation Manager responsible 

for implementing this voluntary agreement. 

2. Submit an implementation plan within six months of signing this agreement outlining expected activities 

and scope of implementation. 

3. Implement, within three years, applicable BMPs and PROs at facilities in the United States as outlined in 

the implementation plan when cost-effective (as defined by the partner). 

4. Submit annual reports describing the BMPs and PROs implemented, the cost of implementation, and the 

associated methane emissions reductions. Annual reports must be signed to certify the accuracy of data 

contained in the report. 

5. Communicate participation to employees and cooperate with EPA efforts to publicize the Program. 

General Terms 

1. This agreement can be terminated by either party at any time, with no notice or penalties and no further 

obligation. EPA agrees not to publicize a partner’s withdrawal from the Program. 

2. The partner agrees that the activities it undertakes connected with this MOU are not intended to provide 

services to the federal government and that the partner will not seek compensation from a federal agency. 

3. 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. 

4. The partner must report the previous year’s emission reduction activities annually. If a partner does not 

submit an annual report, the Natural Gas STAR Program will initiate a three step removal process. Details 

of this process can be provided upon request. 

The Natural Gas STAR Program 

is a flexible, non-regulatory 

partnership between EPA and the 

oil and natural gas industry aimed 

at demonstrating the costeffectiveness and environmental 

benefits of methane emission 

reduction opportunities. 

The recommended Natural Gas 

STAR Best Management Practices 

(BMPs) for Distribution 

Companies have been jointly 

identified by EPA and the industry 

as cost-effective options for 

reducing methane emissions. 

Partner Reported Opportunities 

(PROs) are additional methane 

emission reduction options 

reported by partner companies. 

PROs can reduce gas loss, 

increase profits, and improve 

operational efficiency. 

Best Management Practices

 Directed inspection and 

maintenance at gate stations and 

surface facilities. 

 Identify and rehabilitate leaky 

distribution pipe. 

Partner Reported Opportunities

 Identify and implement other 

cost-effective methane emission 

reduction management 

technologies and practices. 

Please fax this form to: 

EPA Natural Gas STAR Program 

c/o Jerome Blackman 

Fax: (202) 343-2342 

EPA Form No. 5900-98 

The public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 38 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.