EPA delays methane rule for oil and gas as rollback looms

Published: Thursday, July 31, 2025 at 4:09 pm

EPA Delays Methane Rule for Oil and Gas, Signaling Regulatory Shift

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has delayed the implementation of a methane emissions rule for the oil and gas industry, a move that aligns with a broader deregulatory agenda. The rule, finalized in 2023, mandates the use of technology to detect and control methane leaks from well sites. It also sets a two-year deadline for oil and gas operators to cease routine flaring, the practice of burning excess gas.

The interim final rule provides oil and gas operators with an 18-month extension to install the necessary pollution controls. The EPA stated this adjustment aims to provide more realistic timelines for operators of new and modified oil and natural gas sources nationwide. Furthermore, the agency is granting states additional time to submit plans under the 2024 Emissions Guidelines, which aim to limit methane emissions from existing oil and natural gas sources.

This delay is part of a larger effort by the EPA to reassess and potentially roll back climate-related regulations. In March, the agency announced 31 actions aimed at undoing climate-related rules, a move described by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin as a significant step towards deregulation. Zeldin has emphasized that oil and gas standards should be based on the rule of law and not used to hinder development and manufacturing in the United States. The EPA is reconsidering these regulations to ensure they do not impede America's energy dominance and its role as a leader in clean energy and emissions reductions.

The EPA's actions also include an overhaul of the 2009 Endangerment Finding, which addresses greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.

BNN's Perspective:

While the EPA's decision to delay the methane rule may be seen as a setback for environmental advocates, it also reflects a commitment to balancing environmental protection with economic considerations. The agency's focus on providing realistic timelines for industry compliance and ensuring regulations are legally sound is a reasonable approach. However, it is crucial that any regulatory adjustments do not significantly undermine the progress made in reducing methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. Striking the right balance between environmental stewardship and economic growth remains a key challenge.

Keywords: EPA, methane, emissions, oil and gas, regulation, deregulation, climate change, Zeldin, pollution, environment, energy, emissions reductions, interim final rule, Endangerment Finding, greenhouse gas

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