On November 18, 2024, EPA released a final rule to address methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by assessing a charge on certain large emitters exceeding emissions intensity levels set by Congress in section 60113 of the Inflation Reduction Act. Under the final rule, EPA estimates the Waste Emissions Charge will result in emissions reductions of 1.2 million metric tons of methane. The final rule provides detail on the implementation of the charge, including calculations and exemptions.
EPA encourages facilities with high methane charges to meet or exceed the levels of performance set by Congress, whose standards of performance are already being achieved by some oil and gas companies. Readily available technologies are deployable to reduce harmful and wasteful emissions. This proposed rule is the third step in a three-part framework EPA is taking to implement the Methane Emissions Reduction Program, created by IRA section 60113.