EPA Proposes Methane Emission Regulations for Oil and Gas Operators

December 2021

Environmental, Energy & Climate Change Law and Regulation Reporter, Volume 2, Number 3

On November 2, 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed new rulemaking under the Clean Air Act (CAA) specifically targeting emissions of harmful air pollutants from the Crude Oil and Natural Gas source category.  (86 Fed. Reg. 63110 (Nov. 15, 2021).)   The proposed rulemaking under the CAA (Methane Rule) collectively regulates the oil and gas source category through three distinct actions: (1) revised new source performance standards (NSPS) for methane and volatile organic compounds (VOCs); (2) emissions guidelines for states to follow in developing, submitting, and implementing plans for reduced emissions from existing sources; and (3) several actions related to Congressional disapproval of the President Trump era EPA’s September 2020 Policy Rule.

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