EPA Says Oil & Gas Operators Can Continue to Flare Past Long-Set Deadline

Related:
● EPA says oil and gas producers can continue routine flaring at new oil wells (Associated Press)
● EPA Clarifies When Oil and Natural Gas Producers Can Flare After Phase Out Deadline (EPA)

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Source: Sierra Club

EPA Says Oil & Gas Operators Can Continue to Flare Past Long-Set Deadline

Ending routine flaring is “one of the most immediate and cost-effective steps” to reduce emissions

May 1, 2026
Contact
Shannon Van Hoesen, shannon.vanhoesen@sierraclub.org

Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released guidance that will allow oil and gas operators to continue routine flaring, a harmful practice that unnecessarily releases climate-warming methane and other dangerous pollutants into the air. Routine flaring was set to be phased out by May 7th after years of preparation.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that has 80 times the warming impact of carbon dioxide in the first 20 years after its release. Methane is emitted from oil and gas sources alongside other damaging pollutants, such as smog- and soot-forming volatile organic compounds and air toxins like benzene and formaldehyde, human carcinogens.

In response, Sierra Club Director of Beyond Fossil Fuels Policy Mahyar Sorour released the following statement:

“Putting an end to the practice of flaring is one of the most immediate and cost-effective steps we can take to cut methane emissions and reduce other harmful pollutants that jeopardize the health of millions of people, especially those living closest to oil and gas infrastructure. Companies have had years to prepare for the end of flaring and the technology and solutions exist today. Every day we delay is another day communities near these sites pay the price for this blatant handout to the worst actors in the fossil fuel industry.”

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Read more: https://www.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2026/05/epa-says-oil-gas-operators-can-continue-flare-past-long-set-deadline