EPA Proposes Rollbacks of Biden-Era Oil and Gas Methane Regulations

On October 29, 2026, EPA proposed additional revisions to the Biden administration's March 2024 New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and Emissions Guidelines for the oil and natural gas sector (commonly known as OOOOb/c). The proposal includes five principal changes targeting Biden-era requirements to identify and mitigate methane emissions from new and existing oil and gas sources.

First, EPA proposed to rescind the Super Emitter Program, which allows certified third-party monitoring organizations to identify and report major methane emissions events, triggering investigation and corrective action requirements for operators. Second, EPA proposed to establish separate regulatory subcategories for different types of well sites and designated facilities, including marginal and conventional wells. Third, EPA proposed changes to requirements governing liquids unloading, process controllers, pumps, fugitive emissions, storage vessels, covers and closed vent systems, equipment leaks at gas processing plants, and associated gas from oil-producing wells. More specifically, EPA proposed to reverse a Biden-era associated gas rule that required operators to capture associated gas coming out of oil wells and sell it. Fourth, EPA proposed to revise certain requirements for control devices and allow owners and operators of gas processing facilities to use optical gas imaging surveys as an alternative monitoring approach. Finally, EPA proposed technical corrections and clarifications to regulatory language and requirements across the affected standards. The proposed changes could substantially weaken federal methane monitoring and emissions control requirements, particularly for marginal wells, which account for approximately 6–7% of U.S. oil and gas production but roughly half of the sector's methane emissions. Methane is a particularly potent greenhouse gas, and weakening requirements for detecting and controlling emissions could increase climate pollution while exacerbating harmful air pollution in communities located near oil and gas operations. 

The EPA will hold a virtual public hearing on November 13, 2026. Comments must be received on or before December 16, 2026. 91 Fed. Reg. 68234 (Oct. 29, 2026).