EPA's Final Rule to Reduce Methane and Other Harmful Pollution from Oil and Natural Gas Operations and Related Actions
December 2, 2023 -- EPA has issued a final rule that will sharply reduce emissions of methane and other harmful air pollution from oil and natural gas operations — including, for the first time, from existing sources nationwide. The final action includes New Source Performance Standards to reduce methane and smog-forming volatile organic compounds from new, modified and reconstructed sources. It also includes Emissions Guidelines, which set procedures for states to follow as they develop plans to limit methane from existing sources. Oil and natural gas operations are the largest industrial source of methane pollution in the U.S.
The links below will take you to the final rule and related materials, the proposal and supplemental proposal, and actions taken since the final rule was issued.
- 2024 Final Rule and Related Documents
- Actions Since the Final Rule was Issued:
- 2021 Proposal and 2022 Supplemental Proposal
Final Rule
Published March 8, 2024
Regulatory Documents
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Redlined Regulatory Text
These documents show changes to New Sourced Performance Standards (NSPS) subparts OOOO, OOOOa, and KKK in the Code of Federal Regulations to reflect the updates EPA made in the final rule announced December 2, 2023 and published March 8, 2024.
Fact Sheets
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Key Things to Know About EPA's Final Rule for Oil and Natural Gas Operations (pdf)
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EPA's Final Rule for Oil and Natural Gas Operations: Overview (pdf)
Tables
- Table of Covered Sources by Site: EPA's 2012, 2016 and 2023 Rules (pdf)
- Summary of Requirements: Final New Source Performance Standards and Emissions Guidelines (pdf)
Presentation
Trainings
EPA held trainings in early 2024 to provide an overview of the final rule for Tribes, tribal environmental professionals, small businesses and the public. The Agency also held trainings on how to apply to use alternate test methods for detecting methane. See slides from the trainings.
Questions About the Final Rule?
If you have questions about the final rule for oil and natural gas operations, please send them to O&Gmethanerule@epa.gov.
Super Emitter Program Information
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Actions Since the Final Rule was Issued
Proposed Reconsideration of Two Technical Issues
December 20, 2024 - EPA is proposing revisions to two narrow technical aspects of its final Clean Air Act rule to reduce methane and other harmful pollution from oil and natural gas operations. The Agency is issuing the proposal in response to industry petitions for reconsideration.
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EPA's Final Rule to Reduce Methane and Other Pollution from Oil and Natural Gas Operations: Proposed Reconsideration Addressing Two Technical Issues (pdf) (435.62 KB)
- Fact Sheet on Proposed Reconsideration Addressing Two Technical Issues in EPA's Final Rule to Reduce Methane and Other Air Pollution from Oil and Natural Gas Operations (pdf)
May 6, 2024 - EPA has notified petitioners that it is granting reconsideration on two aspects of its final New Source Performance Standards for oil and natural gas operations in response to petitions from industry. The reconsideration will address narrow technical issues raised by industry petitioners related to monitoring and emergency operations for flares that were included in the final rule, which was published March 8, 2024. Through the reconsideration process, EPA intends to propose and take public comment on minor changes to the final rule in response to these petitions. Response to Petitioners (pdf) .
Interim Final Rule to Make Technical Corrections to the Final Methane Rule
June 11, 2024 - EPA is issuing an interim final rule to make technical corrections to its final rule to reduce methane and other harmful pollution from oil and natural operations. Read the interim final rule.