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Defendants the United States Environmental Protection Agency et al. (hereafter “EPA”) hereby report that on May 29, 2020, the Agency transmitted to the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) a final rule package titled, “Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Emission Standards for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources Review.” RIN 2060-AT90.1 This package reflects EPA’s draft final action on its 2019 proposal to rescind methane standards for new sources in the oil and natural gas sector, the statutory predicate for issuing the guidelines at issue in this litigation. 84 Fed. Reg. 50,244 (Sept. 24, 2019) (proposed rule). EPA has requested that OMB conduct its review of this final rule package on an expedited basis within 30 days. As EPA represented in its May 15, 2020 status report, if expedited review is granted, the Agency anticipates that it will finalize this rule by the end of July.

The EPA today took the next step in its march to roll back key safeguards designed to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas industry.

Statements from Environmental Defense Fund and Healthy Air & Water Colorado

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is publishing a draft rule to further reduce methane emissions from oil and gas facilities.

Million-ton methane problem demands strong action on existing pollution sources

D.C. Circuit Hears Argument about Vital FERC Energy Storage Order

EDF statement from Colin Leyden, Director, Regulatory and Legislative Affairs

The Trump Administration declined to strengthen particulate matter standards.

The Environmental Defense Fund developed this report on current conditions and practices of underground gas storage (UGS) in the United States and China with a forward-looking perspective on key elements needed to develop a more comprehensive UGS regulatory program. UGS is key to an effective and reliable gas supply providing operational flexibility to meet an ever-changing supply and demand, notably when supply may be curtailed due to natural or geopolitical reasons. Critical to UGS is a robust regulatory program addressing all phases of operation for the protection of environment, human health and safety.

Chinese Translation of Underground Gas Storage Practices Report. The Environmental Defense Fund developed this report on current conditions and practices of underground gas storage (UGS) in the United States and China with a forward-looking perspective on key elements needed to develop a more comprehensive UGS regulatory program. UGS is key to an effective and reliable gas supply providing operational flexibility to meet an ever-changing supply and demand, notably when supply may be curtailed due to natural or geopolitical reasons. Critical to UGS is a robust regulatory program addressing all phases of operation for the protection of environment, human health and safety.

Helicopter surveys indicate malfunctioning flares in the Permian Basin are releasing at least 300,000 metric tons of unburned methane a year.

Study demonstrates the potential for space-based data to drive down global methane loss rates

The Journal of Science Advances found that oil and gas operations in the Permian Basin are releasing methane at twice the rate of other U.S. regions.

EDF statement from Mary Barber, Director, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs

Undermining the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards a “Terrible Idea” – EDF

An EDF-led research team is targeting America’s largest oil field, uncovering big leaks of climate-warming methane and toxic air pollutants. Our work is driving new accountability in an underregulated industry.

Methane pollution from America’s largest oilfield is heating the planet. EDF is finding the leaks and holding companies accountable.

EDF statement by Scott Anderson, Senior Director, Energy

Statement Of Environmental Defense Fund In Opposition To Joint Proposal In Case 19-g-0066

Field methane readings by EDF PermianMAP show three times national rate; enough to supply every home in Houston, Dallas for a year.

Full scientific methodology for EDF's PermianMAP initiative. 

Methodology for the emission rate scale associated with EDF's PermianMAP initiative. 

The Permian Methane Analysis Project (PermianMAP) is an Environmental Defense Fund initiative that combines established data collection methods with state-of-the-art technologies to pinpoint, measure and report on oil and gas methane emissions in the Permian Basin.

EDF statement from Colin Leyden, Senior Manager, Regulatory and Legislative Affairs

EDF press release on BLM waste prevention rule