Reducing emissions

GHG Emissions Reduction Program

We strive to reduce our GHG emissions, including methane, while continuing to provide reliable transportation and storage of natural gas. We employ a variety of strategies to help manage our carbon footprint and seek opportunities reduce our emissions, including: ‍

Enhanced emissions monitoring and leak management

• Conducting emissions surveys and performing maintenance and repairs on identified component leaks.
• Performing annual leak surveys along our pipelines with the aid of helicopters or fixed-wing planes and analytical field surveys when appropriate.
• Performing measurement surveys on all our compressor stations at least twice a year, exceeding EPA requirements.
• Using OGI cameras to scan natural gas piping and components at our compressor stations to identify any leaks in real-time.
• Placing selective continuous monitoring emission detection equipment at compressor stations.
• Evaluating software tools to optimize our GHG emissions management system.

Equipment modernization and efficiency improvements

• Evaluating and, when practicable, replacing older natural gas-fired compression equipment with electric drive compression or new low-emission, fuel-efficient units.
• Modifying fuel systems on key reciprocating compression equipment to help lower fuel consumption and emissions.
• Exploring options to replace high-bleed natural gas process controllers with low- or zero-bleed devices.
• Installing repair sleeves and composite wraps where appropriate to reduce the need for pipeline blowdowns.
• Reducing methane emissions vented to the atmosphere from transmission pipeline blowdowns by using existing and portable compression and flaring when feasible.
• Reducing methane emissions from rod packing seals on reciprocating compressors as appropriate.

Collaboration, research and development

• Dedicating maintenance capital expenditures to support our emissions reduction program.
• Replacing some gas-powered company vehicles with EVs where feasible.
• Developing and monitoring our emissions reduction efforts.
• Evaluating new and emerging GHG reduction technologies through our internal GHG Task Force.
• Collaborating with industry peers on GHG minimization best practices and new technologies.

Reducing methane emissions

Our methane reduction initiatives include our Methane Leak Survey Program, which addresses fugitive emissions, and our Evacuation and Blowdown Plan, which addresses blowdown or vented emissions .

Methane Leak Survey Program

Our Methane Leak Survey Program is a key component of our methane emissions reduction strategy and continues to be a central focus among employees and senior management.

We have completed leak surveys at all our active compressor stations since 2020, including those not subject to required surveys. These surveys employ OGI cameras to assess natural gas piping to detect component leaks. Leaks identified during surveys are documented in our OMS. Associated repairs are also tracked in our OMS, helping us to confirm when repair work is complete. In 2023, we enhanced our Methane Leak Survey Program by increasing the frequency of leak surveys at all compressor stations.

Through this program, we have gained a more thorough understanding of which facility components may require repair and where to allocate resources appropriately in the future.

Evacuation and Blowdown Plan

During integrity and maintenance work, we may need to evacuate gas from a pipeline segment or equipment to safely complete the activities. Our Evacuation and Blowdown Plan is designed to help reduce our transmission and equipment blowdown emissions. The plan sets a framework for reducing blowdown emissions based on the potential volume of natural gas that can be vented into the atmosphere. The plan requires evaluation of a variety of blowdown mitigation activities, including, but not limited to, pressure reduction activities utilizing in-line pump downs, portable compression and customer take-offs.

Non-GHG Air Emissions

We comply with regulatory obligations, including, but not limited to, the Clean Air Act, by controlling emissions of regulated air pollutants from our pipeline transportation and storage assets. Our internal compliance program evolves alongside changing regulatory obligations.

We employ the following activities to manage air permit compliance requirements:

• Conduct performance emissions testing according to air permit requirements.
• Record and report emissions according to applicable federal, state and local requirements.
• Pay air emissions fees on time.
• Utilize our OMS to track and manage air permit requirements.
• Stay informed of regulatory changes by participating in organizations such as INGAA and SGA and following environmental publications.
• Provide regular air permit training to applicable employees to enhance their knowledge of requirements.

Ongoing and future compliance activities are intended to continue to help reduce emissions as our business develops over time. We also pursue voluntary initiatives that contribute to our emissions reduction efforts.