EPA Announces Plan to End Enforcement of Methane Rules on Oil and Gas Industry

In a memo dated March 12, EPA’s Acting Assistant Administrator Jeffery Hall directed that EPA staff engaged in enforcement and compliance “will no longer focus on methane emissions from oil and gas facilities” as part of broad, cross-cutting undermining of protections for frontline communities, including those impacted by oil and gas pollution. Furthermore, the memo directs that “any orders, settlements or other resolution of Clean Air Act violations regarding methane emissions from oil and gas facilities already found shall require the concurrence of the Assistant Administrator for OECA or his/her delegee.”

“Breaking the law should have consequences but when it comes to the oil and gas industry, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin doesn’t think so,” said Mark Brownstein, EDF’s Senior Vice President, Energy Transition. “His agency’s decision to not enforce methane reduction requirements is a gross failure of responsibility to protect public health and the environment, and it is at odds with common sense besides.”

“Oil and gas companies in the U.S. waste enough methane every year to supply natural gas for 19 million homes. That’s enough natural gas to serve every home in the states of Texas, Pennsylvania and Michigan. Leaders within the oil and gas industry, big and small companies alike, recognize that reducing methane emissions increases energy while preventing harmful pollution. Administrator Zeldin’s reckless and arbitrary decision encourages careless companies to the disadvantage of responsible operators. It undermines years of progress and leaves all oil and gas uncertain about the rules of the road.”