EPA’s final rule aimed at buying itself more time to loosen Biden-era requirements to curb methane emissions at oil and gas facilities entered White House review last month, according to the administration’s regulatory dashboard.
The agency isn’t expected to scrap the rule altogether, but it could weaken standards governing how much methane needs to be reduced at new and existing facilities. The rule now at the Office of Management and Budget would put the state implementation process on hold while EPA undertakes that broader rulemaking. States have primary responsibility for existing facilities and faced a deadline of March 2026 to submit those plans.
The rule was previously introduced as an “interim final rule.” The upcoming action will finalize that change.
EPA’s regulatory work has not appeared to slow down during the government shutdown. Two water rules entered review at the White House Office of Management and Budget this week — one on Wednesday and one on Thursday — despite a significant number of furloughs at the agency. Staff working on rules that are priority for EPA have not been sent home.
