On November 26, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it is extending critical compliance deadlines by 10 months for federal methane standards, which were finalized last year. 

This delay means that oil and gas operators can continue releasing methane and other harmful pollution into our air even longer, despite the known threats to our environment and communities. According to EPA’s own estimates, delaying implementation of standards for existing sources by just one year will result in 3.8 million tons of methane, 960,000 tons of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and 36,000 tons of toxic air pollutants that otherwise would have been prevented. This is not acceptable.

“So far, we’ve made great progress in transitioning away from high-emitting coal plants in Michigan, partially due to the rise of natural gas. And while natural gas appears to be cleaner than coal, methane emissions from oil and gas wells are significantly contributing to Michigan’s overall greenhouse gas emissions,” said Carlee Knott, climate and energy policy manager with the Michigan Environmental Council. “The best way to reduce the impact on the climate in the short term, is to better control these methane emissions.”

Methane has more than 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over a 20 year span, while some VOCs are carcinogenic when breathed in and can exacerbate respiratory conditions like asthma. Reducing these toxins would not only work to move Michigan towards its bold healthy climate goals, but would also protect the many Michiganders who live on the front lines of this pollution and are already experiencing cumulative health impacts. 

“My son has asthma, like so many children in Michigan and across the country. Any delay in implementing these protections means continued, unnecessary exposure to dangerous air pollution that makes it harder for kids like him to breathe,” said Elizabeth Hauptman, Michigan Field Organizer for Moms Clean Air Force. “In Michigan alone, more than 150,000 children live with asthma. EPA estimates that this rule could prevent up to 100,000 asthma attacks every single year. Delaying it only prolongs suffering in our communities.”

What’s even more concerning is that this delay rule was enacted without giving those very frontline communities the opportunity to weigh in and speak up.

While the 2024 methane rule’s standards and deadlines are rooted in feedback from a wide range of stakeholders and comment periods, EPA Administrator Zeldin made this delay rule effective immediately. His decision to double-down on ignoring public input in the “new” delay rule is a slap in the face to everyday people who, unlike oil and gas operators, have much to lose when it comes to delaying safeguards on the air they breathe.

Rather, this move demonstrates the federal administration’s willingness to bulldoze through protections for our communities and neighborhoods—all to give corporate polluters yet another free pass. 

“Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers see the impacts of fossil fuel pollution in their offices, clinics, and emergency departments every day” explains Dr. Elizabeth Del Buono, MD, Founder and Board Chair of Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action. “After decades of regulatory success that saved countless lives and trillions of healthcare dollars, this administration’s systematic dismantling of the guardrails that protect clean air and water and set limits on climate warming emissions will do anything but “make America healthy (or great) again”.  In order to advance fossil fuel profits, these heartless rollbacks will put lives at risk and create conditions that threaten our children’s future. We can do better than this. We must do better than this.“