Sen. Whitehouse Pushes to End EPA Delay on Oil and Gas Methane Rules
A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Oil and Natural Gas Sector Climate Review: Extension of Deadlines in Standards of Performance for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources and Emissions Guidelines for Existing Sources".
Sen. Whitehouse introduced a plan to cancel an EPA rule that gave oil and gas companies more time to follow climate laws. The EPA had recently decided to push back the dates for when companies must fix leaks and upgrade their equipment to reduce pollution.
If this resolution passes, oil and gas companies would have to meet stricter pollution limits sooner. The goal is to reduce methane, a gas that is very effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere and contributes to climate change.
This affects both brand-new oil wells and older facilities that have been running for years. By blocking the delay, the resolution aims to ensure that companies do not wait longer to install technology that catches harmful gases before they escape.
This action uses a special law that lets Congress vote to get rid of rules made by government agencies. If it becomes law, the EPA would be stopped from trying to delay these specific climate deadlines again in the future.
Energy Environment
Impact Analysis
Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Mar 9, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Oil and Natural Gas Sector Climate Review: Extension of Deadlines in Standards of Performance for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources and Emissions Guidelines for Existing Sources".
Bill NumberSJRES 121
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
