Industry may potentially thwart air quality monitoring devices, according to the regulatory body's caution.
In a new report released on Thursday, the EPA's in-house watchdog has concluded that the oil and gas industry may be manipulating the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) environmental monitoring network. The analysis specifically targets petroleum and natural gas system operators, with an entity based in Texas being at the centre of the controversy.
According to the report, this Texas entity used state-supplied data to alter its emission patterns, potentially reducing pollution detected at a nearby air monitor. This manipulation could result in air quality being worse than the health-based standard, as auditors found that regulated entities may adjust their emissions accordingly, potentially releasing more pollution than intended under Clean Air Act requirements.
The EPA previously posted its schedule for intermittent pollution monitoring sites online, allowing regulated entities to know when monitoring will occur. However, the report did not find evidence of malicious behavior at specific sites. Instead, it calls for more oversight of the EPA's air pollution monitoring network.
The report did not mention any other similar incidents in other locations, nor did it indicate whether the Texas entity's actions violated any laws or regulations. It also did not discuss the impact of the Texas entity's actions on overall air quality or specify the nature or extent of the emission pattern alteration.
Despite these uncertainties, the analysis by the EPA Inspector General raises serious concerns about the integrity of the EPA's air pollution monitoring network. The potential manipulation by industries could have significant implications for public health and the environment. The EPA has been urged to take immediate action to address these issues and ensure the accuracy and reliability of its air pollution monitoring data.
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