DEPA Defends Methane Rule Extension

The Domestic Energy Producers Alliance (DEPA) has stepped into the middle of a legal and regulatory fight over the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new methane rules.

The EPA’s 2024 Methane and VOC Rule set out some of the strictest emissions standards ever seen for oil and natural gas producers, imposing tight deadlines for leak detection, repair, and equipment upgrades across the industry. While the intent was to reduce emissions, many in the petroleum sector quickly warned that the timeline was simply unworkable, given global supply chain delays, technical barriers, and the capital investment required to comply.

The EPA issued an Interim Final Rule in July 2025, granting operators more time to implement the required changes. This extension gave producers critical breathing room to plan responsibly, install new technology, and manage costs. The agency estimated that the delay would save regulated operators roughly $750 million between 2028 and 2039.

However, the Environmental Defense Fund and Sierra Club immediately sued the EPA. Their lawsuit, Environmental Defense Fund et al. v. EPA (Case No. 25-1164), asks the D.C. Circuit Court to vacate the extension entirely.

That’s where DEPA comes in.

Representing thousands of independent energy producers across the country, DEPA is fighting to defend the extension and the right of operators to have realistic, science-based timelines. CIPA CEO Rock Zierman is a vice president of DEPA.

If the court sides with environmental groups, the decision could lead to higher costs for energy producers and potential disruptions to the domestic supply.