Can a third-party satellite trigger a federal audit on your facility?

Yes. The EPA has fundamentally changed the enforcement landscape with the new "Super Emitter Program". Under the finalized OOOOb (Quad O-B) and OOOOc (Quad O-C) rules, certified third parties (NGOs, activists, satellite providers) can now detect leaks and report them directly to the EPA.

In this intelligence briefing, we simulate a crisis call between a Permian Basin Operations Manager (who thinks he can ignore a "grainy satellite photo") and a DC General Counsel (who knows the new legal reality).

What You Will Hear:

• The Notification Trigger: How a 100 kg/hr plume detected from space turns into a formal EPA notice.
• The "Death Clock": Why the 5-Day Investigation deadline is based on calendar days, not business days.
• Public Shaming: The risk of your company landing on the EPA's public "Super Emitter" dashboard.
• Rebuttal Strategy: What data (SCADA logs, maintenance records) you need to prove a "planned blowdown" versus an illegal leak.

Key Regulatory Thresholds:

• Detection Limit: >100 kg/hr of methane.
• Response Time: 5 days to initiate investigation; 15 days to submit a full report.
• Certification: Third parties must be EPA-certified to submit data, making their reports presumptive evidence.

Resources:

• EPA Final Rule: Oil and Natural Gas Operations: https://www.epa.gov/controlling-air-pollution-oil-and-natural-gas-operations
• Super Emitter Program Fact Sheet: https://www.epa.gov/

About DjamgaMind: We provide AI-powered regulatory intelligence for Energy Executives. 🔒 Unlock the full USA Energy Feed: https://djamgamind.com

Tags: EPA, Methane, Compliance, Energy Sector, Environmental Justice, Legal Risk, Operations Management