AXPC Statement on EPA’s Interim Final Rule Extending Methane Regulation Compliance Deadlines

July 30, 2025

Washington, D.C. – Today, the American Exploration & Production Council (AXPC) released the following statement supporting the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) issuance of an interim final rule (IFR) to extend compliance deadlines in Subpart OOOOb and OOOOc methane regulations. 

Anne Bradbury, AXPC CEO, said:  

“AXPC applauds EPA’s decision to issue an interim final rule as a necessary and appropriate response to the technical implementation challenges posed by the current OOOOb/c regulations. This extension recognizes the elements of the rule that AXPC petitioned the EPA to reconsider, and creates an opportunity for the regulated community to have certainty around challenges within the current rule.  

America’s upstream oil and natural gas industry has led the way in methane emission reductions through innovation and operating practices, and this move supports the industry’s steadfast commitment to environmental stewardship by recognizing that targeted revisions are required to develop a properly functioning regulatory framework to manage emissions. EPA has also taken this opportunity to incorporate critical feedback from operators, engineers, and state regulators that the previous administration regrettably ignored.  

By taking this action, EPA is acknowledging the importance of ensuring that emissions regulations account for real-world conditions, rather than rushing implementation that could hinder compliance. The interim final rule also simultaneously provides clarity to states as they work to develop plans under the Emissions Guidelines which will be subject to amendment over the coming months. We appreciate Administrator Lee Zeldin’s leadership to get this right and remain committed to working collaboratively to develop effective, technically sound regulations that deliver real environmental progress.” 

BACKGROUND 

How EPA is addressing OOOOb/c implementation feasibility  

• Enabling improved feasibility for the 2024 New Source Performance Standards (NSPC) – Extends compliance deadlines under the 2024 New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for onshore producers to meet requirements that support emissions management related to control devices, equipment leak reporting, storage vessels, process controller, and covers/closed vent systems. This extension enables EPA to improve the feasibility of emission controls for demonstration and monitoring requirements, and provide greater allowance for alternative technologies and approaches instead of disincentivizing their use. 

• Facilitating state management of existing sources – Provides additional time and broader flexibility for states to realistically meet a federally imposed deadline to submit methane emissions reduction plans. 

• Improving “super emitter” program implementation – Extends compliance deadlines for EPA’s “super emitter” program, providing additional time for EPA to improve program implementation related to detecting potential large methane leaks. 

The IFR supports responsible emissions management   

• Delivering real environmental progress – The IFR does not reduce the upstream oil and natural gas producers’ commitment to continue responsibly managing methane emissions. The upstream industry reduced total methane emissions by 42% and its methane intensity by 61% from 2015-2023, regardless of administration, and are committed to EPA’s feasible implementation of OOOOb/c.