EPA proposes major changes to oil, gas emission rules

On October 29, 2026, EPA published a proposed rule to amend certain emission standards for new and existing crude oil and natural gas facilities that were established by a rule finalized in 2024 (2024 Final Rule).

Who’s impacted?

The proposed rule primarily applies to:

• New, modified, and reconstructed crude oil and natural gas facilities subject to the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) at 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart OOOOb; and
• Existing crude oil and natural gas facilities subject to the emissions guidelines (EGs) at Part 60 Subpart OOOOc.

Collectively, these standards are known as the OOOOb/OOOOc rule.

What are the proposed changes?

EPA’s rule proposes revisions to a range of regulations established by the 2024 Final Rule.

Well site categories

The agency co-proposes two options for creating distinct categories of low-producing well sites, either:

• By production level as marginal or non-marginal (with reduced requirements for marginal wells), or
• By resource type as conventional or unconventional (with reduced requirements for conventional wells).

EPA also proposes an alternative approach to the marginal or non-marginal option, adding further sub-categories of marginal wells based on production levels.

Covers and closed vent systems (CVSs)

EPA proposes to divide the No Identifiable Emissions (NIE) standard into:

• Design requirements, and
• Operational requirements.

Additionally, the operational requirements would allow for repairs so that emissions that are fixed within a limited timeframe wouldn’t be a deviation.

Associated gas

EPA proposes to modify the best system of emission reduction (BSER) for associated gas from oil wells, including an approach that would allow routing associated gas to a control device or flare meeting specific emission-reduction requirements.

Control devices

The agency proposes to change control device requirements related to:

• Continuous burning pilot flames,
• Flame monitoring data deviations,
• Control device alerts,
• Visible emissions test conditions for fugitive emissions,
• Temporary or backup control devices,
• Temporary process controllers, and
• Control device categories.

Other requirements

EPA addresses other aspects of the 2024 Final Rule, proposing to revise requirements for:

• Liquids unloading,
• Process controllers,
• Pumps,
• Fugitive emissions,
• Storage vessels,
• Covers and CVSs, and
• Equipment leaks at gas plants.

Further, the proposed rule would allow gas processing facilities subject to the NSPS at Part 60 Subparts OOOO, OOOOa, and KKK to conduct optical gas imaging surveys according to Appendix K.

Super Emitter Program

EPA plans to rescind the Super Emitter Program that requires regulated sources to be monitored for methane leaks and releases above a specific threshold by certified third parties using remote-sensing technology. If the threshold is exceeded, it’s known as a “super-emitter event.” The third party notifies EPA, which then notifies a source that a super-emitter event has occurred at its facility. The source must find the leak or release, report its investigation results to EPA, and take corrective action if needed.

Note that the Super Emitter Program isn’t in effect. EPA’s July 2025 interim final rule delayed the program start date to January 22, 2027.

Key to remember: EPA proposes significant changes to emission standards for new and existing oil and natural gas facilities.