Reducing Emissions of Methane and Other Pollution from Oil and Natural Gas Operations (40 CFR Part 60, Subparts OOOOb and OOOOc)
Methane, the primary component of natural gas, has been identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as the second-most prevalent greenhouse gas emitted in the United States from human activities.
With federal estimates that the natural gas and oil industries account for a quarter of U.S. methane emissions, reducing methane leaks from the oil and gas sector is one of the essential steps needed to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the impacts of climate change.
In March 2024 EPA finalized a federal rule to reduce emissions of methane and other pollution from oil and natural gas operations and related actions. The rule includes New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) to reduce methane and smog-forming volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from new, modified and reconstructed sources (OOOOb). It also included Emissions Guidelines (OOOOc), which set procedures for states to follow as they develop plans to limit methane from existing sources. The EPA expects the new rule to reduce methane emissions by 80%.
DEP is finalizing a State Plan that details the implementation and enforcement plan for the EPA’s New Source Performance Standards and Emissions Guidelines for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from oil and natural gas facilities.
What's New
The Bureau of Air Quality (BAQ) is conducting meaningful engagement efforts to hear from stakeholders their feedback on the State Plan. BAQ presented details of the State Plan at regularly scheduled Advisory Committee meetings. To review the presentations, follow the links below:
- Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee, October 10, 2024 and February 6, 2025
- Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee, October 23, 2024 and February 26, 2025
- The joint meeting of the Citizens Advisory Committee and Environmental Justice Advisory Board, November 12, 2024
- Oil & Gas Technical Advisory Board, December 5, 2024
- Grade Crude Development Advisory Committee, December 12, 2024(opens in a new tab)
Webinar
April 1, 2025
The DEP's Bureau of Air Quality held a webinar to provide an overview to the public on the Department's approach to implementing 40 CFR Part 60, Subparts OOOOb and OOOOc): Reducing Emissions of Methane and Other Pollution from Oil and Natural Gas Operations.
Presentation: PowerPoint Presentation
Feedback
We want to hear from you! Submit your feedback to the State Plan through the link below. Please note, that this will not be considered as a part of the official public comment period.
https://forms.office.com/g/6TyWKmG6tV
Public Hearings
The Department intends to hold regional public hearings and one virtual public hearing. Regional public hearings will be held in the Northeast, Northwest, Northcentral, Southwest, Southeast, and Southcentral Offices. Please refer back to this webpage or the Pennsylvania Bulletin(opens in a new tab) once the public comment period is open for details on location and times.
How to submit written public comments
Coming Soon! Please refer to eComment(opens in a new tab) when the public comment period opens to review the State Plan documents and submit written public comments.