Methane Emissions – Environmental and Energy Law Program

Quick Takes

EPA Finalizes Weakened Standards for OOOO Rules

Rule loosens requirements for flares and vent gas. EPA states the revisions are intended to provide flexibility to oil and gas operators.

April 10, 2026

Regulatory Tracker

EPA VOC and Methane Standards for Oil and Gas Facilities

The Biden EPA finalized three rules regulating methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. One of the rules, the Waste Emission Charge, was repealed using the Congressional Review Act. In Sept. 2025, EPA proposed to delay the GHG reporting rules until 2034. In Nov. 2025, EPA finalized the deadline exemptions for certain provisions regulating methane emissions from new and existing oil and gas sources.

April 6, 2026

Regulatory Tracker

Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding

EPA rescinded its 2009 finding that greenhouse gas emissions contribute to air pollution that endangers human health or welfare, which was the basis for EPA regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from US vehicles, and by extension from power plants and oil and gas facilities.

March 19, 2026

Regulatory Tracker

BLM Methane Waste Prevention Rule

In 2024, BLM released a final rule to reduce the waste of natural gas from oil and gas operations on federal and Tribal land. In Nov. 2025, BLM announced it will delay enforcement of portions of the rule that had been scheduled to take effect Dec. 2025. Other portions of the rule remain in effect and BLM is considering revisions.

February 23, 2026

Legal Analysis

The Congressional Review Act in 2025: Expanding Use and Emerging Questions

After decades of limited use, Congress used the Congressional Review Act 22 times in 2025, testing the boundaries of congressional power, agency rulemaking, and the courts’ role in reviewing CRA actions.

February 5, 2026

Regulatory Tracker

The Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases (Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide)

President Trump disbanded the interagency working group on the social cost of greenhouse gases, withdrew the working group’s guidance documents, and ordered agencies to use emissions estimates from the 2003 version of OMB’s Circular A-4. He also directed EPA to review how and whether the social cost of carbon should be used.

January 30, 2026

Legal Analysis

Recent History of US Methane Regulation

An analysis of the three core elements of U.S. methane policy and a look at the role of states.

January 23, 2026

Legal Analysis

EPA Proposes to End Greenhouse Gas Reporting

A summary of EPA’s proposal to eliminate the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program and a look at the potential impacts to federal, state, and industry efforts.

September 30, 2025

Regulatory Tracker

Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Air Pollution Emission Standards for Methane and Other Pollutants

MSW landfills are currently subject to EPA’s 2016 New Source Performance Standards and Environmental Guidelines. In Sept. 2025, EPA proposed to delay the GHG reporting rules until 2034.

September 16, 2025