(a) Applicability.
(1) The requirements of this section apply to reciprocating natural gas compressors located at natural gas transmission compressor stations, and natural gas underground storage facilities.
(2) The requirements of this section do not apply to reciprocating natural gas compressors that operate fewer than 200 hours over a rolling twelve (12) month period total, provided that the owner or operator:
(i) Maintains a non-resettable hour meter on the engine, and
(ii) Maintains a record, for a minimum of five (5) years, of the operating hours per month, and
(iii) Provides a rolling twelve (12) month total calculation of hours to the Department once per year.
(b) Beginning January 1, 2023, components on driver engines and compressors shall comply with the LDAR requirements specified in Subpart 203-7, except for the rod packing components subject to subdivision 203-4.4(c) and,
(c) The compressor rod packing or seal emission flow rate through the rod packing or seal vent stack shall be measured annually by direct measurement (high volume sampling, bagging, calibrated flow measuring instrument) while the compressor is running at normal operating temperature using one of the following methods:
(1) Vent stacks shall be equipped with a meter or instrumentation to measure the rod packing or seal emissions flow rate; or,
(2) Vent stacks shall be equipped with a clearly identified access port installed at a height of no more than six (6) feet above ground level or a permanent support surface for making individual or combined rod packing or seal emission flow rate measurements.
(3) If the measurement is not obtained because the compressor is not operating for the scheduled test date and the remainder of the inspection period, then testing shall be conducted within seven (7) days of resumed operation. The owner or operator shall maintain, and make available upon request by the Department, a copy of operating records that document the compressor hours of operation and run dates and a signed statement from the responsible official in order to demonstrate compliance with this requirement.
(d) Beginning January 1, 2023, compressor vent stacks used to vent rod packing or seal emissions shall be controlled with the use of a vapor collection system as specified in Subpart 203-8; or,
(e) A compressor with a rod packing or seal with a measured emission flow rate greater than two (2) scfm, or a combined rod packing or seal emission flow rate greater than the number of compression cylinders multiplied by two (2) scfm, shall be successfully repaired within thirty (30) days from the date of the initial emission flow rate measurement.
(1) An extension to the thirty (30) day deadline may be granted by the Department if the owner or operator can demonstrate that the parts or equipment required to make necessary repairs have been ordered and the owner or operator notifies the Department as specified in Section 203-10.3 to report the delay and provides an estimated time by which the repairs will be completed.
(f) The owner or operator shall maintain for at least five (5) years a record of the flow rate measurement and shall report the result to the Department within sixty (60) days after completed.
(g) A reciprocating natural gas compressor with a rod packing or seal emission flow rate measured above the standard specified as a critical component shall be successfully repaired by the end of the next scheduled process shutdown or within twelve (12) months from the date of the initial flow rate measurement, whichever is sooner.
Adopted New York State Register February 16, 2022/Volume XLIV, Issue 07, eff. 3/3/2022