July 31, 2025 | By: Tim Sowecke, Win Colbert, and Tyler A. Self

Major developments in federal climate policy emerged this week from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”). First, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin proposed repealing the 2009 greenhouse gas (“GHG”) endangerment finding, the legal foundation for federal climate regulation of vehicles, power plants, and the oil and gas sector. Closely following the announcement, EPA published an interim final rule extending key compliance deadlines under the Clean Air Act’s (“CAA”) New Source Performance Standards (“NSPS”) Subparts OOOOb/c for the oil and gas industry. Together, these actions underscore a significant shift in federal climate regulation, with immediate implications for regulated sectors and long-term implications for federal climate strategy.

Repeal of EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding

On July 29, 2025, Administrator Zeldin unveiled a proposed rule to repeal the agency’s landmark 2009 endangerment finding that GHGs “threaten public health and welfare,” along with all downstream vehicle emissions standards based on that finding. In its preamble, EPA offers three alternative legal rationales for repeal: (1) that Section 202(a) of the CAA never authorized climate‑driven standards; (2) that the original science “unreasonably analyzed” GHG harms; and (3) that no available vehicle technology can meaningfully curb global‑scale climate risks without imposing greater public health harms.

Administrator Zeldin announced this pivotal move at an auto dealership in Indiana, joined by U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, Indiana Governor Mike Braun, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, U.S. Representative Jim Baird (R-IN-04), Indiana Secretary of Energy and Natural Resources Suzanne Jaworowski, and the Indiana Motor Truck Association. Following publication of the proposed rule in the Federal Register, EPA will accept public comments until September 21, 2025, with a final rule anticipated by the end of 2025.

Key Impacts on Power, Oil & Gas, and Utilities

Power-Sector Rules: The endangerment finding underpins CAA Section 111 standards for both new and existing power plants. Its removal would strip—or at least severely limit—the EPA’s legal foundation for future source-specific carbon limits (e.g., clean-energy performance standards), injecting regulatory uncertainty into long-term resource planning.

Oil & Gas Methane Controls: Current leak-detection and flaring restrictions hinge on GHG pollutant status. Repeal of the finding could delay or dismantle these federal requirements (e.g., New Source Performance Standards OOOOb/c). This would reduce near-term capital expenditure, but companies must still grapple with robust state-level rules, investor ESG mandates, and potential lawsuits asserting continued liability for methane emissions.

Utility Capital Planning: Many utilities embed GHG-reduction forecasts in budgets for renewables, storage, and grid hardening. A rollback may lower projected compliance costs and reshape Integrated Resource Planning (“IRP”), but could undermine access to low-cost, “green” financing and expose companies to reputational risk amid market-driven decarbonization.

The proposed rule marks a fundamental shift in EPA’s climate authority, potentially chilling federal climate action while amplifying the role of state regulation, markets, and private commitments. Stakeholders should track the rule’s progress, recalibrate compliance roadmaps, and weigh engagement in EPA’s rulemaking docket to protect interests.

Extension of NSPS Quad Ob/c Compliance Deadlines

On July 31, 2025, EPA published its interim final rule, effective immediately, extending certain compliance deadlines under the CAA’s NSPS Subparts OOOOb/c, applicable to new, modified, and reconstructed sources in the crude oil and natural gas sector.

The rule provides an 18-month extension for key requirements related to control devices, equipment leaks, storage vessels, process controllers, and covers/closed vent systems, including the requirement for continuous pilot flames on flares and enclosed combustion devices (“ECDs”) and corresponding alarm systems triggered by flame outages. For continuous monitoring of the “vent gas net heating value” (“NHV”) of flares and enclosed combustion control devices, the extended deadline is 120 days after publication.

It also delays by 18 months implementation of the Super-Emitter Program — the third-party methane detection and response program to identify large emission events from oil and gas facilities using remote sensing technologies. EPA cites the need to review the underlying technical data. During the extension, the agency will pause review of technology approval requests under the program.

In addition, the rule extends by 18 months the deadline for states to submit state implementation plans (“SIPs”) under Subpart OOOOc, moving the original March 9, 2026, deadline to September 2027.

EPA invoked the Administrative Procedure Act’s (“APA”) “good cause” exception to bypass notice-and-comment, citing urgent feasibility concerns raised by stakeholders regarding technology deployment and related compliance and enforcement concerns. We previously examined issues related to the use of the “good cause” exception in Fast-Tracking Deregulation: The Risks of Bypassing Notice and Comment (May 12, 2025), available here. Still, EPA is providing for post-promulgation comments, due by September 2, 2025, and challenges must be filed in the D.C. Circuit by September 29, 2025.

Conclusion and Takeaways

Taken together, EPA’s proposed repeal of the endangerment finding and its extension of NSPS compliance deadlines mark a profound shift in the federal climate regulatory landscape. By questioning the legal and scientific basis for regulating greenhouse gases, EPA is poised to narrow its own authority under the CAA. Stakeholders, particularly in regulated industries, should closely monitor these developments, as these changes will impact compliance planning, capital investment strategies, and risk management considerations.

GableGotwals attorneys Tim Sowecke, Win Colbert, and Tyler Self stand ready to assist clients in monitoring developments, crafting effective comments, and adapting compliance strategies. Our Environmental & Natural Resources Law and Administrative & Regulatory Law practice groups would welcome the opportunity to support your team through each phase of this evolving regulatory landscape.

Tim Sowecke
405-568-3308
tsowecke@gablelaw.com

Win Colbert
346-200-6439
wcolbert@gablelaw.com

Tyler A. Self
405-235-5589
tself@gablelaw.com

This article is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not contain legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. The information provided should not be taken as an indication of future legal results; any information provided should not be acted upon without consulting legal counsel.

HOUSTON, TX — June 6, 2025 | GableGotwals is pleased to announce that Winfred T. (“Win”) Colbert has joined the Firm as Of Counsel in its Houston office, bringing with him a distinguished career in environmental and natural resources law. With extensive experience advising public and private sector clients on complex environmental, health, and safety (EHS) matters, Win enhances the Firm’s capabilities in regulatory compliance, enforcement defense, and strategic environmental counseling across key industries.

He joins GableGotwals’ Chambers and Partners Band 1-ranked Environmental and Natural Resources Practice, alongside Lloyd Landreth, Tim Sowecke, and Tyler Self.

Win’s practice spans a wide range of issues, including permitting, litigation strategy, crisis response, and government relations, particularly in sectors such as energy, utilities, chemical manufacturing, and transportation. He has successfully represented clients in high-stakes matters involving the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, RCRA, and Superfund laws before the EPA, state environmental agencies, and in federal court.

“Win and I have collaborated, and occasionally been on opposing sides, on environmental and regulatory matters for many years ― building a deep mutual respect through our professional interactions. His broad expertise and proven leadership in both the public and private sectors make him a strong complement to our team,” said Lloyd Landreth, Co-chair of the Firm’s Environmental Law Practice. “His ability to navigate complex regulatory frameworks and craft effective strategies for compliance and risk management will be a great benefit for our clients.”

Prior to joining GableGotwals, Win served as Senior Assistant City Attorney for the City of Houston. In that role, he advised the Mayor’s Office and several city departments, including the Airport System, Public Works, Health, and Solid Waste, on environmental, regulatory, and legislative issues. He also served as a liaison with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

He received his J.D. from Columbia University Law School and his B.A. in Political Science from Yale University.

About GableGotwals

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