Document 5kjnN432aqvB50pVKzJoXGjqJ

To: Cc: From: Sent: Subject: Jackson, RyanOackson.ryan@epa.gov] Michael Catanzaroi_________________ ______________j Marc Himmelstein Tue 6/6/2017 6:01:16 PM Uinta Basin We need your help. The Uinta Basin in Northeast Utah (Rob Bishop's district) is going to be listed as an ozone non-attainment area later this year. It is a prolific oil and gas producing area that encompasses state, tribal and federal lands. The ozone issues are complicated-winter not summer time issues. The area has been studied by Utah State University funded by the state, EPA and industry-no obvious solutions have been identified, though Region 8 puts much of the blame on industry. The Governor has for years challenged the Region to demonstrate a cause and affect. Mike can certainly describe for you his wars with the Region staff. The state,tribes and industry are trying to find solutions but the Obama Administration exacerbated the the problems when it issued it's Federal Implementation Plan for True Minor Sources on Indian Country last June.In spite of numerous comments urging the inclusion of a traditional streamlined permitting approach for new minor sources in non-attainment areas, they not only refused but added language making such permits more difficult. We are left with a cumbersome site specific permit process which Regional staff has said they are not staffed to do. Additionally, they have interpreted the words in the FIP "cause or contribute" to mean no new permits for sources that have any emissions. This is true even though production is in a decline and no new drilling has occurred-though several companies have proposed to drill new wells this fall, if permits were forthcoming. This virtual zero new permit approach will have devastating impacts on the tribes and the local communities. We have several ideas which we would like to discuss with you and your staff. We believe that we would have support from the Governor and the tribes as well. We ask for time to meet with you and your staff to discuss these ideas. I will bring several companies including Newfield and QEP Appreciate your help Marc Sent from my iPad 17cv1906 Sierra Club v. EPA - 6/22 Production ED 001523 00003754-00001