DEQ Requests Comments On Oil & Gas Registration Programmatic Environmental Review

HELENA—The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is requesting feedback on a draft programmatic environmental assessment (EA) for its Oil and Gas Registration Program by Oct. 1, 2026. The Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) requires DEQ to analyze impacts from all agency actions that may affect Montana's environment. As allowed by MEPA, and because potential impacts resulting from oil and gas well facilities are similar across Montana, DEQ periodically prepares an updated programmatic EA for regulated oil and gas well facilities disclosing impacts associated with operations. This practice ensures the registration program remains current and associated impacts of the program are adequately disclosed to the public. The focus of this programmatic environmental review is oil and gas well facilities with potential to emit air pollutants between 25 and 100 tons per year. Facilities with potential to emit air pollutants greater than 100 tons per year of emissions are not eligible for registration and are required to obtain a Montana Air Quality Permit. For sources of emissions regulated by an air quality permit, the required MEPA review is accomplished on a case-by-case basis before permit issuance. DEQ currently receives approximately 90 to 160 applicable oil and gas well facility registration applications each year, including 20 to 30 new registrations, 50 to 100 registration modifications, and 20 to 30 deregistration requests. MEPA provides agencies discretion to determine when preparation of a programmatic review is appropriate for related or repetitive actions, programs, or policies. The programmatic EA will be used by DEQ to appropriately disclose environmental impacts, promoting both efficient review and informed agency decisions under MEPA. To submit public comment or view the draft programmatic EA, please visit DEQ's website.