New EPA Rules to Reduce Pollution from Oil and Gas Companies
Official: Reconsideration of Standards of Performance for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources and Emissions Guidelines for Existing Sources: Oil and Natural Gas Sector Climate Review
Reading: EPA's 'reconsideration' of oil and natural gas sector standards typically involves relaxing or delaying emission limits previously established under the Clean Air Act.
The rules also establish guidelines for existing facilities to reduce their emissions over time.
In clear language
The EPA is reconsidering pollution rules for oil and natural gas companies to address climate concerns. These updated standards will set new limits on how much pollution new, rebuilt, or significantly changed oil and gas facilities can release into the air. The rules also establish guidelines for existing facilities to reduce their emissions over time.
How does this affect you?
Pick the type of resident or organization you most identify with — we'll generate a plain-language breakdown of what changes for you and what you can do about it.
Who does this affect?
- Oil and natural gas companies operating in New Jersey and nationwide
- Communities living near oil and gas facilities, refineries, and processing plants
- Workers in the energy sector and related industries
- New Jersey residents concerned about air quality and climate change
What can you do?
- Learn more about air quality in your area by checking the EPA's AirNow website to see how emissions from nearby facilities affect your community
- Support clean energy alternatives by choosing renewable energy options if available through your utility company
- Contact your New Jersey state representatives to voice support for strong emissions standards
Timeline
- 2026-04-09 (Final rule posted)
In the press
AP News reports that the Biden EPA established the first-ever methane fee for emissions waste by oil and gas companies, directly addressing pollution from the oil and gas sector.
Coverage retrieved automatically from major and NJ outlets. Links go to the original reporting; the summary above draws only on these headlines.
No New Jersey official has a verified action on this policy yet.
Related policies
- Regulations.govDec 3, 2025Extension of Deadlines for Oil and Gas Industry Pollution Control Standards
The EPA has extended the deadlines for oil and natural gas companies to meet new pollution control standards that were designed to reduce climate-harmful emissions. This rule gives companies more time to comply with requirements for both new facilities and existing ones. The extension affects federal rules that were originally supposed to take effect sooner.
- NJ LegislatureOct 8, 2026Classifying Greenhouse Gases as Air Pollutants in New Jersey
This bill declares that greenhouse gas emissions cause climate change and harm public health and safety. It updates New Jersey's Air Pollution Control Act to treat greenhouse gases the same as other air pollutants that the state can regulate. This legal change would allow New Jersey to set and enforce rules to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Federal RegisterSep 17, 2026EPA Plan to Eliminate Greenhouse Gas Emission Rules for Coal and Gas Power Plants
The EPA is proposing to cancel all federal rules that limit greenhouse gas emissions from coal and natural gas power plants, arguing that the Clean Air Act does not give the EPA authority to regulate power plant emissions for climate change reasons. This would overturn emission standards set in 2015 and 2024 that required power plants to reduce their carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The move would remove one of the main federal tools for reducing emissions from electricity generation.
- Federal RegisterApr 9, 2026EPA updates rules for oil and natural gas companies to control methane and other pollution
The EPA is making technical updates to its rules that control pollution from oil and natural gas operations. The changes focus on how companies handle waste gases through flaring (burning off gas) and how they monitor the energy content of those gases. These are small refinements to rules that were finalized in March 2024, and they don't change the main pollution limits that companies must follow.