Actions and Notices about Oil and Natural Gas Air Pollution Standards
On this page:
Regulatory Actions
New Source Performance Standards and Emissions Guidelines
EPA Issues Interim Final Rule to Make Technical Corrections to the Final Methane Rule
June 11, 2024 - EPA is issuing an interim final rule to make technical corrections to its final rule to reduce methane and other harmful pollution from oil and natural operations. Read the interim final rule.
EPA to Reconsider Two Narrow Technical Issues in Final Methane Rule
May 6, 2024 - EPA has notified petitioners that it is granting reconsideration on two narrow aspects of its final New Source Performance Standards for oil and natural gas operations in response to petitions from industry. Learn more
EPA Issues Final Rule to Sharply Reduce Methane and Other Harmful Pollution from Oil and Natural Gas Operations
December 2, 2023 -- EPA has issued a final rule that will sharply reduce emissions of methane and other harmful air pollution from oil and natural gas operations — including, for the first time, from existing sources nationwide. The final action includes New Source Performance Standards to reduce methane and smog-forming volatile organic compounds from new, modified and reconstructed sources. It also includes Emissions Guidelines, which set procedures for states to follow as they develop plans to limit methane from existing sources. Oil and natural gas operations are the largest industrial source of methane pollution in the U.S. Learn more
EPA Issues Supplemental Proposal to Reduce Methane and Other Harmful Pollution from Oil and Natural Gas Operations
November 11, 2022 -- EPA is proposing to update, strengthen and expand its November 2021 proposal that would secure major climate and health benefits for all Americans by reducing emissions of methane and other harmful air pollution from both new and existing sources in the oil and natural gas industry. The Agency has issued a supplemental proposal that would achieve more comprehensive emissions reductions from oil and natural gas operations by improving standards in the 2021 proposal and adding proposed requirements for sources not previously covered. Learn more
EPA Proposes New Source Performance Standards Updates, Emissions Guidelines to Reduce Methane and Other Harmful Pollution from the Oil and Natural Gas Industry
November 2, 2021 - EPA is taking a significant step in fighting the climate crisis and protecting public health through a proposed rule that would sharply reduce methane and other harmful air pollution from both new and existing sources in the oil and natural gas industry. Read the proposal and supporting documents.
Congressional Review Act Resolution to Disapprove EPA's 2020 Oil and Gas Policy Rule: Questions and Answers
June 30, 2021 -- President Biden signed into law a joint Congressional resolution disapproving the 2020 final policy amendments to EPA's 2012 and 2016 New Source Performance Standards (known as the "policy rule"). EPA is providing initial guidance to stakeholders, in the form of questions and answers, about the effect of the Congressional Review Act resolution. Learn more
Final Policy and Technical Amendments to the New Source Performance Standards for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry
NOTE: President Biden has signed a joint Congressional resolution disapproving the 2020 Policy Amendments that are referenced below. As of June 30, 2021, the 2020 Policy Amendments are no longer in effect.
August 13, 2020 – EPA issued two final rules that will make it simpler and less burdensome for the oil and natural gas industry to comply with the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry. The two rules include policy amendments to the 2012 and 2016 NSPS, and technical amendments to the 2012 NSPS. Learn more
EPA Amends Narrow Portions of Fugitive Emissions Requirements in the 2016 New Source Performance Standards for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry
March 1, 2018 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced amendments to two narrow provisions of the 2016 New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for the oil and natural gas industry in response to comments the agency received on proposed stays of the rule and on subsequent Notices of Data Availability. The amendments address two of the “fugitive emissions” requirements in the 2016 rule that pose significant and immediate compliance concerns: a requirement that leaking components be repaired during unplanned or emergency shutdowns; and the monitoring survey requirements for well sites located on the Alaskan North Slope. Learn More
EPA Updates New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), permitting rules
May 12, 2016 - EPA has issued three final rules that together will curb emissions of methane, smog-forming volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toxic air pollutants such as benzene from new, reconstructed and modified oil and gas sources, while providing greater certainty about Clean Air Act permitting requirements for the industry. Learn More
EPA Issues Final Air Rules for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry
April 17, 2012 – EPA issued cost-effective regulations, required by the Clean Air Act, to reduce harmful air pollution from the oil and natural gas industry while allowing continued, responsible growth in U.S. oil and natural gas production. The final rules include the first federal air standards for natural gas wells that are hydraulically fractured, along with requirements for several other sources of pollution in the oil and gas industry that currently are not regulated at the federal level. Learn More
Federal Implementation Plans
Final Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) for Oil and Natural Gas Sources on the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation
November 8, 2022 -- EPA signed a proposed reservation-specific Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) for oil and natural gas sources on the Indian country lands within the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation (U&O Reservation) in Utah. Learn more
Final Amendments to the Federal Implementation Plan for Managing Air Emissions from True Minor Sources in Indian Country in the Oil and Natural Gas Production and Natural Gas Processing Segments of the Oil and Natural Gas Sector
March 6, 2020 - EPA has issued final amendments to streamline the Clean Air Act permitting process for certain sources engaged in oil and natural gas production activities in Indian country. The final amendments to the Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) for True Minor Sources in Indian Country in the Oil and Natural Gas Production and Natural Gas Processing Segments of the Oil and Natural Gas Sector could reduce, by up to 30 days, the time between a source owner/operator’s submission of required Endangered Species Act (ESA)/ National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) screening documents and beginning construction.
EPA issued Final Amendments to Federal Implementation Plan for EPA’s Indian Country Minor New Source Review Program for Oil and Natural Gas Sources
May 2, 2019 -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) signed amendments to the 2016 federal implementation plan (FIP) for managing air emissions from new and modified true minor oil and natural gas sources in Indian country. The FIP limits emissions of harmful air pollutants while providing streamlined construction authorization for new and modified “true minor sources” in the oil and natural gas production and natural gas processing segments of the oil and natural gas sector. The amendments would allow the FIP to continue to apply in portions of the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation that are included in an area EPA has designated as nonattainment for the 2015 national ambient air quality standards for ozone. Learn more
National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
EPA Issues Final Amendments to Remove Affirmative Defense Provisions from Two Air Toxics Standards
Oct. 16, 2024 -- EPA has issued final amendments to two air toxics standards that apply to oil and natural gas operations: the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for oil and natural gas production facilities and the NESHAP for natural gas transmission and storage facilities. The amendments remove affirmative defense provisions from the rules to make them consistent with 2014 decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Read the amendments and a fact sheet.
EPA Proposes Amendments to Two Air Toxics Standards to Remove Affirmative Defense Provisions
Nov. 21, 2023 - EPA has proposed amendments to two air toxics standards that apply to oil and natural gas operations: the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for oil and natural gas production facilities and the NESHAP for natural gas transmission and storage facilities. The proposed amendments would remove affirmative defense provisions from the rules to make them consistent with 2014 decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Members of the public have until December 6, 2023 to request a public hearing on the proposal. EPA will accept written comments on the proposal through January 16, 2024. Learn more
EPA Requests Information on Hazardous Air Pollution Emissions from Sources in Oil and Natural Gas Production, and Natural Gas Transmission and Storage
Nov. 4, 2015 – EPA has issued a request for additional data and information on emissions of hazardous air pollutants (air toxics) that were not available in 2012 when EPA updated its major source air toxics standards for oil and natural gas production facilities, and natural gas transmission and storage facilities. The agency is requesting data on storage vessels without potential for flash emissions, and data on air toxics emissions from regulated small glycol dehydrators.
- Notice (PDF) - Federal Register - November 27, 2015
Control Techniques Guidelines
EPA Issues Final Control Techniques Guidelines
Oct. 20, 2016 - EPA has issued final Control Techniques Guidelines for reducing smog-forming volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from existing oil and natural gas equipment and processes in certain states and areas with smog problems.
Information Requests
Requests for Information Under Clean Air Act Section 114(a)
On February 2, 2023, EPA sent requests for information under section 114 of the Clean Air Act to a number of oil and natural gas companies. See the letters and the data
EPA Withdraws Information Request for the Oil and Gas Industry
March 2, 2017-- EPA has withdrawn the 2016 information request for the oil and gas industry, effective immediately. If you received a letter requiring you to fill out a survey, you are no longer required to respond. Survey recipients who have questions may contact the ICR help desk at 888-372-8696, or by email [email protected].
Final Information Collection Request (ICR) for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry
Nov. 10, 2016 - EPA issued a final Information Collection Request (ICR) seeking information needed to help the agency determine how to best reduce methane and other harmful emissions from existing sources in the large and complex oil and natural gas industry. The final ICR reflects a number of changes made based on comments about on two drafts of the ICR, issued for public review and comment earlier this year. Learn More
Second Draft Information Collection Request (ICR) for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry
Sept. 23, 2016 - EPA issued the second draft of an Information Collection Request (ICR) to require oil and natural gas companies to provide extensive information needed to develop regulations to reduce methane emissions from existing oil and gas sources. The second draft reflects a number of changes EPA made based on comments the agency received on a draft ICR announced in May. Learn More
Voluntary Request for Information on Emerging Technologies
July 8, 2016 - EPA has issued a voluntary Request for Information inviting all parties to provide information on innovative technologies to detect, measure and mitigate emissions from the oil and natural gas industry. Notice (PDF) - Federal Register - July 18, 2016
Draft Information Collection Request for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry
May 12, 2016 - EPA issued the first draft of an Information Collection Request (ICR) to require oil and natural gas companies to provide extensive information needed to develop regulations to reduce methane emissions from existing oil and gas sources. In addition, the agency announced plans to issue a Request for Information to seek information on innovative strategies that can accurately and cost-effectively locate, measure and mitigate methane emissions. Learn More