Earthworks measured noise near compressor and processing facilities in Pennsylvania, finding that levels were often in the upper decibel dBA range, which exceeds state and federal standards.
Under the federal Clean Air Act , state regulatory agencies also have to review plans for compressor stations and determine whether, based on projected pollution levels, they require just a state air permit or also require a federal one. State regulatory agencies must provide notice of when federal air permits known as Title V are open for public comment. Reciprocating pistons, located in cylinder cases on the side of the unit, compress the natural gas.
The compressor pistons and the power pistons are connected to a common crankshaft. The advantage of reciprocating compressors is that the volume of gas pushed through the pipeline can be adjusted incrementally to meet small changes in customer demand. Overview Regulatory Filings Letters Testimony. Press Releases Interviews and News Blog. Home Pipelines Operations Compressor Stations. By scrubbing, straining and filtering incoming gas the station removes impurities — such as hydrocarbon particles or water — that has evaporated out of the gas, protecting the pipeline network from damage.
These by-products may be safely disposed of or sold as appropriate. As gas is compressed, it rises in temperature by around degrees for every psi increase in pressure. To protect pipelines from the damaging effects of heat the compressor station incorporates a cooler system that disperses excess heat.
The amount of compression required at each compressor station depends on a variety of factors, such as supply and demand, environmental conditions and pipeline topography in the area.
Accurate flow measurement that does not impede gas flow is critical to the effective control of compressor station operations. Compressors can generate a significant amount of noise depending on the type of compressor, sound mitigation technologies used, the slope of the land surrounding the compressor, and other factors.
Land owners may wish to consider noise as it affects them and their neighbors when negotiating a compressor station agreement. Compressor station operators often incorporate some level of noise mitigation in their site design, but the landowner may want to include minimum standards in their lease or sale agreement.
Noise sensitive areas would include occupied residences, places of worship, and other locations. This requirement only affects compressor stations that are regulated by FERC, which would include the interstate pipeline system in Pennsylvania, but does not include compressors that are tied into gathering lines.
Some municipalities counties, townships, boroughs have their own ordinances in place that limit noise. If there is an ordinance in place, consider asking your municipal officials for a copy of the ordinance. There are no overriding state regulations governing noise emissions from compressor stations in Pennsylvania. Landowners may also consider future residential development in the area of the proposed compressor site. One consideration is to place a noise restriction at the edge of the compressor site e.
Most natural gas compressor stations are powered by combustion engines, which vent exhaust emissions into the atmosphere. PA DEP has established a comprehensive air emissions reduction program for the natural gas compression and processing operations.
PA DEP has developed a compliance certification form and sample worksheet to assist the regulated industry with the submission of compliance certifications due by March 1 of each year. Compressor stations can be a potential source of methane emissions. In , EPA estimated that as many as 45 percent of methane emissions in the natural gas transportation and storage sector were from traditional reciprocating compressors EPA estimated that the transportation and storage sector was responsible for 27 percent of overall methane emissions from the oil and gas industry.
To curb methane emissions in the oil and gas industry, EPA developed the Natural Gas STAR program, which is a flexible, voluntary partnership to encourage oil and natural gas companies to adopt cost-effective technologies and practices to reduce emissions of methane.
Many companies within the industry have joined the Gas STAR program and are in the process of implementing methane-reducing practices and technologies. EPA has recently announced the Gas STAR Gold program to recognize facilities that implement a comprehensive suite of protocols to reduce methane emissions.
The FERC environmental document will address both construction and operational air emissions from the compressor station, as well as soil, site restoration, and visual impacts. Light and traffic in and around compressor facilities can be significant during construction and operation.
Traffic is somewhat of an unavoidable issue because equipment, materials, and workers will be traveling to the site every day. A landowner may be able to negotiate a restriction of heavy truck traffic and movement of equipment to and from the site during certain hours during the overnight hours, for instance. Sky glow or light pollution is a brightening of the night sky caused by artificial light scattered by small particles in the air such as water droplets and dust.
Methods to reduce light pollution include directed lighting and the use of shielded light fixtures so that less light escapes to places where it is not wanted or needed. Significant soil disturbance and compaction often occurs during construction in the temporary work area surrounding the compressor site. This can result in reduced crop yields on agricultural soils and reduced tree growth on forested soils for several years. Steps should be taken to minimize soil compaction throughout the construction process and to mitigate compaction during restoration.
Such steps include using only low-ground-pressure construction equipment and ceasing operations when soils are wet and most susceptible to compactive forces. After replacement of subsoil material and grading of the easement, the entire area should be deep ripped to a depth of 16 inches to loosen the exposed subsoil. The stockpiled topsoil should then be replaced over the easement, again taking steps to avoid compaction. The replaced topsoil should then be loosened by deep ripping to a depth of 16 inches, and on agricultural soils, any rocks brought to the surface should be collected and removed.
Recovery of full productivity of agricultural soils can sometimes be accelerated by incorporating compost or manure in the topsoil. Compressor sites can often create a lasting visual impact on the landscape once they are built. There are several strategies that can be employed to mitigate these visual impacts and blend a compressor station and related natural gas infrastructure into the landscape.
Compressor buildings in historic districts and other visually critical areas have been built with design features that mimic surrounding architecture. In rural areas, a compressor building that looks like a barn or other agricultural structure will be less obtrusive than a conventionally built compressor. Some locations naturally lend themselves to visibility such as facilities built on a hill or ridge.
Locating a compressor station in a less visible spot or out of direct line-of-sight of neighbors will be less visibly intrusive. These techniques may also help mitigate noise emissions from the site.
While the ability of municipalities to apply local zoning ordinances to compressor facilities may be limited and can vary between governmental jurisdictions, there are some aspects of building design and construction where a municipality may have input either via a local zoning regulation or cooperative agreements with the operator. Design features such as storm water runoff from the new facility, building design, lighting, sound emissions, and setbacks from exist ing buildings are examples of considerations that may be addressed at the local level--again, either through local regulation or cooperative agreements.
Much of this publication discusses issues specific to Pennsylvania. While many of the issues and considerations presented in the publication are universal, important differences regarding the right of condemnation or eminent domain exist between states.
In Pennsylvania, the decision to grant a gathering system compressor agreement rests solely with the surface landowner.
Some states Ohio, for instance operate under a "common carrier" statute that may allow condemnation of land for the placement of gathering lines and related infrastructure "as necessary and for a public use. On the other hand, operators constructing compressor stations as part of the interstate natural gas transmission network are granted the right of condemnation once they receive a "Certificate of Convenience and Public Necessity" after completing the FERC review process.
This does not mean that the landowner should not take an active role in negotiating compensation and terms when dealing with the possibility of condemnation. In many cases, a mutual agreement between the landowner and the operator can be reached without going through an eminent domain proceeding.
Regardless of the type of facility, landowners and others dealing with compressor station agreements should seek legal advice from an experienced oil and gas attorney in their respective states be fore signing any agreement.
Penn State Extension provides educational resources for landowners and other stakeholders about shale gas development. County extension offices may host an educational workshop, discuss leasing arrangements, or refer you to regulatory or legal specialists. Although extension educators cannot provide legal advice, they can provide additional insights about leasing and right-of-way considerations.
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