COLUMBUS — The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency announced last week it has created a program to consider permit applications for oil and natural gas midstream compressor stations on more of a generic basis.

The move is being made in anticipation of more growth in horizontal fracturing of shale, or fracking, which has made vast reserves of oil and natural gas in the southern and eastern parts of the state more accessible.

Previously, air emissions from future compressor stations — such as a controversial one planned between Waterville and Whitehouse for the upcoming NEXUS Gas Transmission pipeline being developed by Houston-based Spectra Energy and DTE Energy of Michigan — were subject to a longer case-by-case permit process.

Applications for general permits follow a template, the Ohio EPA said, adding that it believes the new, streamlined process can become “an effective means to track and regulate air emissions and can be more efficient and timely for processing.”

The new general permits and comments received from the public may reviewed online at: epa.ohio.gov/​dapc/​genpermit/​ngcs.aspx.

First Published March 6, 2017, 5:00 a.m.