LUBBOCK, Texas, Oct. 27, 2026 —

President Donald Trump and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin announced Tuesday evening in Lubbock, Texas, that the EPA is proposing to revise the 2024 federal oil and natural gas emission standards under the Clean Air Act, known as OOOOb/c, according to the EPA's news release.

"Tonight, I am officially terminating Biden's expensive and unnecessary methane regulations to save consumers and energy producers $45 billion in costs, unlock vast quantities of Texas natural gas, and produce 210 million barrels of oil," the President said, in a video of his remarks posted by the White House's Rapid Response account at 8:32 p.m. Eastern time.

What the EPA says it is proposing

The EPA describes the action as a proposal. The agency says it will hold "at least a 45-day public comment period, including a public hearing, after publication in the Federal Register." According to the release, the EPA expects the proposal to save $45 billion in costs to consumers and businesses and to allow an estimated 210 million additional barrels of oil and 1.41 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

The release lists five main changes:

  • Well sites. The EPA is offering two options for separate categories and standards: one by production level (marginal or non-marginal wells) and one by resource type (conventional or unconventional).
  • Super Emitter Program. The EPA proposes to rescind the program that certified third-party monitors to report large "super emitter" leak events and required states to do the same. The agency cites legal concerns and says other practices already give operators timely information to find and fix major leaks.
  • Covers and closed vent systems. The "no identifiable emissions" requirement would be split into design and operational requirements, and the operational rules would allow for repairs.
  • Associated gas. The EPA proposes to restore 95% efficient flaring or other control devices as the standard, instead of requiring all associated gas from oil wells to go to a sales line.
  • Control devices. Technical changes would add flexibility for flame-monitoring data deviations, control device alerts and visible-emissions test conditions.

The EPA says marginal wells make up "roughly four out of every five producing wells in the nation," and that the 2024 rule was estimated at the time to cost $18 billion.

What officials said

"President Trump promised to end the war on oil and natural gas, and I vowed to do my part, while protecting our environment," Zeldin said in the release. "When owners and operators can produce, America benefits with lower prices."

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Energy Secretary Chris Wright are also quoted in the release supporting the proposal. In a post on his X account, Zeldin wrote that the President "announced a massive new action to LOWER COSTS and RAMP UP AMERICAN ENERGY."

How we got here

According to the EPA, Zeldin announced a reconsideration of the 2024 rule on March 12, 2025. The agency extended several compliance deadlines in July and November 2025, finalized revisions on flaring and heating-value rules on April 6, 2026, and clarified flaring rules for new oil wells on May 1, 2026.

What it means for Floridians

The EPA release does not break out savings, production or emission changes by state, and it does not say how much, or when, consumer energy prices might change. Floridians, like all Americans, will be able to submit comments during the public comment period once the proposal is published in the Federal Register. Launchpad Digital will report the docket and hearing details when the EPA posts them.

Launchpad Digital has asked the EPA for comment and will update this story when it responds.

Those are the facts, directly from the source.

Sources: U.S. EPA news release, Oct. 27, 2026; Rapid Response 47 (White House) X post with video of the President's remarks, Oct. 27, 2026; EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin X post, Oct. 27, 2026.

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