The agreement replaces and renews an MOU signed in December 2002 and renewed again in March 2005. This agreement"s timeframe has been extended to 3 years from the previous 2-year expiration. The MOU was signed at the start of IOGCC"s midyear issues summit in
The MOU"s purpose is "to improve regulatory cooperation among the states and EPA in a manner that promotes protection of the environment in a cost-effective manner, minimizes duplication, increases efficiencies, enables the exchange of information and expertise, and increases communication," it said.
Some of the objectives outlined in the agreement include renewing a joint taskforce that will serve several purposes:
-- To continue long-term communication improvement between EPA and the states.
-- To continue a close IOGCC-EPA relationship fostering environmental protection based on mutual understanding for each group"s missions, responsibilities, and authorities.
-- To address issues, through the formation of working subgroups, concerning concurrent jurisdiction between EPA and the states.
"In some instances the states and EPA have concurrent jurisdiction relating to a host of oil and gas regulatory efforts," the MOU said. "In other instances, the states and EPA have independent authorities that may be complementary when effectively coordinated."
IOGCC, a congressionally chartered organization of governors of 37 oil and gas-producing states, serves to protect and develop the states" oil and gas resources, while avoiding waste of those resources and protecting the environment.
PIN/OGJ.COM
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