On April 6, 2026, EPA released a final rule revising certain provisions of its 2024 regulations for methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. The rule will loosen requirements for flares and vent gas. EPA states the revisions are intended to provide flexibility to oil and gas operators in response to industry petitions for reconsideration and additional industry input. While the Biden EPA granted industry petitions for reconsideration on these issues, the final rule reduces the stringency beyond what the Trump EPA originally proposed. The rule is narrowly focused on these two issues. It does not explain its legal reasoning for continuing to regulate methane emissions when it has found that it does not have the authority to regulate carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from vehicles and has proposed it does not have the authority to regulate power plants’ CO2 emissions.

Read our quick take on what the rule does, comparing the 2024 and 2026 versions, EPA authority, and the next steps. Please note that in addition to these revisions, on May 1, 2026, EPA issued guidance explaining that oil and gas producers may continue flaring under some circumstances beyond the May 7 deadline for ending flaring under the 2024 OOOO rules after industry raised concerns.