EPA Continues to Unleash Domestic Energy with Revisions to Burdensome, Unworkable Biden-era Oil and Natural Gas Regulations, Saving Americans Billions in Energy Costs

Final rule to save $2.5 billion while producing cleanest energy in the world

April 6, 2026

WASHINGTON - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin took another step in unleashing domestic energy and revising burdensome, unworkable Biden-era oil and natural gas policies. Today, EPA finalized revisions to certain aspects of the Biden-Harris Administration's 2024 Clean Air Act rules for oil and natural gas, commonly known as OOOOb/c. These changes will help ensure that American energy owners and operators have the flexibility needed to continue producing the cleanest energy in the world without having to worry about being punished by radical climate ideologies. The agency's final rule, which is part of a series of actions the Trump EPA is taking on Biden-era oil and natural gas regulations, is estimated to save $2.5 billion over 15 years, equivalent to $208 million annually in industry compliance costs. These cost savings will help lower gasoline and energy costs across the board and benefit American families.

"My predecessors weaponized environmental regulations to regulate the oil and gas industry out of existence. We are taking another step to fix those mistakes while proving we can both protect human health and the environment and grow the economy at the same time. Making rules workable for owners and operators advances American energy dominance, lowers cost for American families, and ensures the United States is providing better and cleaner energy," said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.

The final rule responds to several petitions for reconsideration, feedback from industry-including from a 45-day public comment period-and additional data EPA received after the 2024 Final Rule was issued. The 2024 Final Rule phases out routine flaring of associated natural gas from new sources, but allowed owners and operators to perform temporary flaring for up to 24 hours in maintenance situations. However, serious concerns were raised that this limited time frame did not provide enough time for owners and operators to troubleshoot and repair equipment, putting energy reliability for American families and the safety of workers at risk. Under the Trump EPA's revisions, owners and operators will now be able to utilize temporary flaring for up to 72 hours. During exigent circumstances where site access is limited due to extreme inclement weather, temporary personnel shortage, or supply chain issues due to circumstances outside the owner or operator's control, the final rule provides additional time beyond the 72 hours. Owners and operators will be required to keep records and report when such situations occur.

The Biden EPA's final rule also required continuous monitoring of the net heating value (NHV) of vent gas from flares and enclosed combustion devices (ECD). Based on data that has come to light since 2024, today's action adjusts the NHV monitoring and testing provisions so that owners and operators do not need to perform NHV sampling from flares or ECD, except where inert gases or other miscellaneous scenarios are present. The final rule also removes the general exemption from NHV monitoring for associated gas for any control device used at well sites affected facilities. These changes will reduce the number of unnecessary tests by up to 141,000 per year-about 1.9 million over 15 years. The agency does not expect any emissions changes as a result of the final revisions to the NHV compliance demonstration requirements.

The Trump EPA understands we can both protect human health and the environment and grow the economy at the same time. Today's final revisions to unleash American energy build upon the actions taken by the agency in 2025 that already delivered $750 million in savings, to provide additional time for sources to comply with certain provisions in the burdensome OOOOb/c Biden-era regulations. This is a stark contrast to the Biden EPA, which estimated its oil and natural gas regulations would cost over $18 billion and raise natural gas prices for Americans. EPA is currently developing another proposal to further amend the 2024 Final Rule to address additional issues raised by stakeholders that will further drive down the cost of living for all Americans. The agency will continue to provide relief and bring commonsense back to oil and natural gas rulemaking.

Read the 2026 Final Rule to Reduce Burden on the Oil and Natural Gas IndustryExit EPA's website for more information.

Background

Today's revisions apply to the March 8, 2024, Biden regulations for oil and natural gas operations under sections 111(b) and 111(d) of the Clean Air Act.

On March 12, 2025, Administrator Zeldin announced a comprehensive reconsideration of OOOOb/c, including the 2024 Final Rule, to unleash energy dominance and continue the Nation's trajectory as a leader in clean energy and emissions reductions.

On November 26, 2025, EPA finalized an interim final rule to extend several compliance deadlines in the 2024 Final Rule to provide more realistic timelines for owners and operators to comply with the 2024 Final Rule.