Frackers Face EPA's Emission Rule Remix or Stalemate
Published Date: 4/22/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA is reviewing air pollution rules for oil and gas facilities but isn’t changing the current limits. They’re proposing new rules for some unregulated pollution sources, with two options: either no new rules or new controls on certain equipment. These changes could save money for companies and will be decided soon, affecting oil and gas producers and transporters.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
No Changes to Existing Oil & Gas NESHAP
The EPA proposes no revisions to the current NESHAP standards in 40 CFR part 63, subparts HH and HHH after its technology review under Clean Air Act section 112(d)(6). If finalized, covered crude oil and natural gas production facilities and natural gas transmission and storage facilities would not face new control requirements from this technology-review decision.
Option to Defer Regulating Unregulated Emissions
For emission points not currently regulated under the Oil & Gas NESHAP, the EPA proposes one approach that declines to promulgate standards now and would defer action on previously unregulated emission points under CAA section 112(d)(6). Under that approach, EPA would not add new regulatory obligations for those emission points at this time.
Methanol Added as Regulated HAP (Production Only)
The EPA proposes to add methanol as a regulated hazardous air pollutant from regulated emission points at crude oil and natural gas production facilities (NESHAP subpart HH). The proposal does not include methanol regulation at natural gas transmission and storage facilities (NESHAP subpart HHH) and the Agency states this methanol regulation would result in no additional control requirements.
Alternative: New Standards for Unregulated Equipment
As an alternative, EPA proposes new control standards for certain previously unregulated emission points. Proposed additions for production (subpart HH) include acid gas removal units (AGRU), transport vessel loading, and storage vessels without potential-for-flash emissions; for transmission and storage (subpart HHH) they include storage vessels, transport vessel loading, and natural gas–driven process controllers and pumps. The Agency anticipates minimal costs (mainly recordkeeping and reporting) and states no emissions impacts because facilities could already achieve the proposed standards.
Narrowing 'Associated Equipment' Raises Deregulatory Relief
The EPA proposes to amend the definition of 'associated equipment' for a major source by removing the phrase 'except glycol dehydrators and storage vessels.' EPA says glycol dehydrators and storage vessels are clearly associated equipment and that this change would reduce burdens on industry.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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