Climate Deregulation Tracker

The Department of Interior finalized a rollback of the 2016 Coal, Oil, and Gas Valuation Rule, which aimed to boost revenue for taxpayers and states by changing how energy companies value sales of coal, oil and gas extracted from federal and tribal land. 

The Department of Energy issued a rule that could block future administrations from making gas-fired water heaters and furnaces more efficient.

NHTSA delayed an increase in civil penalties for failing to meet fuel efficiency standards.

Under a new rule, EPA can only regulate GHGs from industrial sectors that are responsible for at least 3% of U.S. emissions.

EPA finalized a rule to limit the use of certain types of scientific studies in policymaking.

DOE created a new class of residential dishwashers under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, which governs energy efficiency standards.

DOE finalized a rule that makes it easier for manufacturers of appliances subject to federal energy efficiency standards to acquire a temporary exemption from federal test procedure requirements.

EPA overhauled the way it conducts cost benefit analysis under the Clean Air Act.

DOE, which has the authority to approve natural gas exports, revised NEPA regulations to categorically exclude natural gas exports and associated transportation by marine vessel.

On November 19, 2020, the U.S. Forest Service finalized a rollback of its regulations under the National Environmental Policy Act.

The U.S. Forest Service has exempted the Tongass National Forest from the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, which prohibits tree harvest and road construction within certain protected areas.  

DOE created a new class of residential dishwashers under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, which governs energy efficiency standards.

EPA finalized further revisions to the coal ash disposal rule, which could endanger public health.

The Department of Energy proposed a rule that could block future administrations from making gas-fired water heaters and furnaces more efficient.

DOE further amended its process rule by requiring a cost-benefit analysis of potential energy conservation standard levels.

BLM opened 1.5 million acres of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil and gas drilling.

EPA issued a final rule rescinding the new source performance standards for methane emissions from facilities used in the production, processing, transmission, and storage of oil and natural gas.

EPA weakened volatile organic compound (VOC) standards for oil and natural gas production and processing facilities. EPA claims that VOC standards adequately control methane emissions, since the two pollutants are typically released together.

DOE created a new class of residential dishwashers under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, which governs energy efficiency standards.

The Department of Interior proposed revisions to the 2016 Coal, Oil, and Gas Valuation Rule. The 2016 Valuation Rule aims to boost revenue for taxpayers and states by changing how energy companies value sales of coal, oil and gas extracted from federal and tribal land. 

The Council on Environmental Quality finalized amendments to regulations under the National Environmental Policy Act that could limit or eliminate climate change consideration from analysis of fossil fuel projects.

The Department of Transportation finalized a rule allowing the transport of liquefied natural gas by rail.

EPA proposed a rule to overhaul the way it conducts cost-benefit analysis under the Clean Air Act.

The President signed an executive order instructing agencies to expedite infrastructure projects, including by identifying opportunities to circumvent environmental review.