Zeldin EPA Moves Forward with Delaying Commonsense Pollution Protections

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – This week, Administrator Lee Zeldin’s Environmental Protection Agency submitted a proposal to delay implementation of the 2024 U.S. EPA methane rule. The rule will cut tens of millions of tons of climate-damaging methane emissions as well as smog-forming and hazardous air pollution from oil and gas leaks, venting and flaring.

“These commonsense protections to cut oil and gas pollution provide cleaner air for millions of people, help reduce the risk of severe weather events fueled by climate change such as floods, wildfires and heatwaves, and prevent the needless waste of American energy," said Rosalie Winn, EDF’s Director and Lead Counsel for Methane and Clean Air Policy. "Methane is a super-pollutant—more than 80 times as potent as carbon dioxide over its first 20 years—so every ton we avoid today averts extreme weather and protects climate health. The standards have been in effect for over a year, and both the Supreme Court and DC Circuit rejected industry requests to delay compliance deadlines.”

Proven, cost-effective solutions already exist to help operators meet these standards while improving their bottom line. By deploying these solutions, operators can lower operating costs, safeguard public health and prevent wasted resources.

The Supreme Court and D.C. Circuit Court declined to stay the deadlines for oil and gas companies to meet the standards. Both large and independent producers have gone on record in support of federal methane regulation.