2026 Final Rule to Reduce Burden on the Oil and Natural Gas Industry
Background
On March 8, 2024, EPA published a final rule expanding standards of performance for the oil and natural gas industry, commonly referred to as OOOOb and OOOOc. The 2024 Final Rule established new source performance standards (NSPS) for new, reconstructed, and modified sources and Emission Guidelines (EG) for states to develop plans for existing sources. EPA received multiple petitions for reconsideration of its 2024 NSPS and EG for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry. Many petitions focus on ways to make the current rule more workable for owners and operators.
On May 6, 2024, EPA notified petitioners that it was granting reconsideration on two aspects of its final NSPS for oil and natural gas operations in response to petitions from industry. This reconsideration was finalized on March 30, 2026. Read more about this reconsideration.
On March 12, 2025, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced a more comprehensive reconsideration of OOOOb and OOOOc to unleash energy dominance and continue the Nation’s trajectory as a leader in clean energy and emissions reductions. As part of this effort, EPA is developing additional proposed amendments to the 2024 Final Rule to address a focused scope of additional issues raised by industry and other stakeholders.
Regulatory Actions
April 2026 Final Technical Reconsideration
April 4, 2026 - EPA took an important first step in easing regulatory burdens and unleashing the Nation’s domestic energy supply by revising two narrow technical aspects of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Clean Air Act rules for the oil and natural gas industry. The agency is finalizing discrete technical changes to the temporary flaring provisions for associated gas in certain situations, and the requirements for continuous monitoring of the net heating value of vent gas from flares and enclosed combustion devices and alternative performance test
EPA estimates this action will save the oil and natural gas industry $2.5 billion from 2024 to 2038 (3% discount rate), equivalent to $208 million per year.
December 2024 Proposed Technical Reconsideration
December 20, 2024 - EPA proposed revisions to two narrow technical aspects of its final 2024 Clean Air Act rule to reduce methane and other harmful pollution from oil and natural gas operations. The Agency issued the proposal in response to industry petitions for reconsideration.