Methane Emissions – Environmental and Energy Law Program

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 One of the rules, the Waste Emission Charge, has been repealed under the Congressional Review Act. The Trump EPA included the other two, the methane emission reduction and GHG reporting rules, as slated for rollback.

April 10, 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 October 2024, EPA requested comments in advance of a rulemaking. Comments are due by May 23, 2025.

March 21, 2025

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.

March 12, 2025

Quick Takes

Understanding the Waste Emissions Charge for Methane: What’s Changed and What’s Next?

Congress recently voted to eliminate the WEC. We take a quick look at potential implications.

March 5, 2025

Regulatory Tracker

BLM Methane Waste Prevention Rule

BLM released a final rule to reduce the waste of natural gas from oil and gas operations on federal and tribal land. Four states challenged the rule.

February 25, 2025

Legal Analysis

Oil and Gas Well Plugging in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Act of 1984 requires well owners and operators to plug their wells prior to closure and within one year of ending production. We look at requirements, regulatory tools, funding, and more regarding methane emissions from unplugged wells.

February 10, 2025

Will Trump Mend or End Federal Methane Rules?

Carrie Jenks co-authors timely analysis of the Trump Administration’s options for methane policy.

January 30, 2025

EELP News

Salata Research Brief: Framework for Reducing Methane from Livestock in the United States

A look at federal and state targets to reduce emissions and the statutory authority for federal and state programs.

December 13, 2024

Legal Analysis

Final Rule Implementing the Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems

Analysis of the changes EPA made in the final rule in response to public comments and reasoning for the changes.

December 2, 2024