Pennsylvania plans methane rules for new and existing oil and gas wells; no draft rule yet
On July 24, 2026 the Department of Environmental Protection announced methane rules for oil and gas operations covering leak detection and routine venting and flaring; no draft exists. Draft rules are reported to go to the Environmental Quality Board in 2027. The federal state-plan submission deadline is January 22, 2027.
On July 24, 2026, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection ("DEP") announced in a press release that it will develop regulations to reduce methane emissions from new and existing oil and gas operations. The release says the rules will address leak detection and repair at wells, pipelines and infrastructure, a phase-out of routine venting and flaring, and regular monitoring to find new leaks. No draft rule has been published: DEP's rolling regulatory agenda lists the Chapter 129 methane amendments as pre-draft regulations in development with no date scheduled for the Environmental Quality Board, and the release states that public comment will occur during the standard regulatory review process. Nothing in this briefing is in force.
Air Pollution Control Act, 1959 P.L. 2119, No. 787 (35 P.S. § 4001 et seq.); DEP regulatory agenda (Pa. Bulletin, July 25, 2026, as reported); 25 Pa. Code Ch. 129 (planned amendments)