United StatesBill would limit EPA monitoring rules and allow gas routing
If passed, EPA could not require continuous heating-value monitoring at covered oil and gas sites, and certain wells could route gas during outages under set limits.
What it does
EPA could not require covered oil and gas operators to continuously measure a flare or other combustion device’s net heating value, or a related measure.
For certain wells, EPA could not set a rule allowing less than 72 hours to route associated gas to a flare or control device during a dangerous malfunction or incident.
During a temporary pipeline or gathering-system outage, certain well operators could route associated gas to a flare or control device for the outage or an EPA-set period of at least 90 days, whichever is shorter.
Argument forIf these limits apply, covered operators could avoid continuously measuring flare heating value, reducing an ongoing monitoring task.
Argument againstWithout continuous heating-value checks, regulators may have less frequent information about how combustion devices perform at covered sites.
More detail
The EPA Administrator could not require continuous monitoring of net heating value or a related measure under the specified Clean Air Act sections. This covers crude oil and natural gas facilities, oil and gas exploration or production wells, and natural gas transmission and storage facilities. The monitoring limit applies to combustion control devices, including flares and enclosed combustion devices.
The EPA Administrator could not set a rule that lowers the maximum allowed routing time below 72 hours. This applies to operators of wells following the specified federal rules, or their replacements. The routing must happen during a malfunction or an incident that endangers operator personnel or the public.
A well operator may route associated gas to a flare or control device for the shorter of the two stated periods. This applies to operators following the specified federal rules, or their replacements. The EPA-set period must be at least 90 days. This applies during a temporary interruption in service from a gathering or pipeline system.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Oct 29Introduced in HouseLatest
- Oct 29Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.Introduced
Environment & EnergyGovernment & EthicsPublic Safety