Actions and Notices about Oil and Natural Gas Air Pollution Standards
Follow the links below to read about:
- New Source Performance Standards and Emission Guidelines
- Federal Implementation Plans
- National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
- Control Techniques Guidelines
- Information Requests
Regulatory Actions
New Source Performance Standards and Emissions Guidelines
2024 Final Rule to Sharply Reduce Methane and Other Harmful Pollution from Oil and Natural Gas Operations and Related Actions
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. The final rule was published in the Federal Register on March 8, 2024. Read the final rule and related actions.
2020 Final Policy and Technical Amendments to New Source Performance Standards for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry and Related Congressional Review Act Resolution
In August 2020, EPA announced two final rules that would 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 includes policy amendments to the 2012 and 2016 NSPS, and technical amendments to the 2012 NSPS. On June 30, 2021, a joint Congressional resolution disapproved the 2020 final policy amendments to EPA's 2012 and 2016 New Source Performance Standards (known as the "policy rule"). Read the final rules and questions and answers about the Congressional Review Act Resolution to disapprove the policy rule.
2016 Final New Source Performance Standards for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry and Related Actions
May 12, 2016 - EPA announced 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. In 2018, the Agency announced amendments to two narrow provisions of the 2016 rule to address two of the “fugitive emissions” requirements in the 2016 rule that posed significant and immediate compliance concerns. Read the 2016 final rule and the 2018 amendments
2012 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. Read the final rules
Federal Implementation Plans for Indian Country
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 the proposed FIP .
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 issues 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 about the final FIP amendments
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 about the amendments
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.
Requests for Information Under Clean Air Act Section 114
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