The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is calling on Wyoming residents, especially those in the oil and gas sector, to provide input on a new state plan addressing methane emissions, Cody Enterprise reports.
The DEQ hosted a presentation at Cody City Hall on October 25, explaining recent federal rules on methane emissions released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the state’s approach to these changes.
The EPA’s updated rule, Subpart OOOOc, went into effect on May 7 and requires compliance from oil and gas facilities by March 9, 2029. Multiple states, including Wyoming, are challenging this rule in the D.C. Court of Appeals, and the court’s decision could affect whether Wyoming will need a state-specific plan.
“If something comes up and says, ‘Hey, the rule is gone,’ then there will be no plan requirement anymore,” stated Nancy Vehr, Wyoming’s state air quality administrator.
The DEQ is currently gathering input to develop a state plan tailored to Wyoming’s specific needs. The plan will be submitted to the EPA by March 6, 2026, with DEQ officials stressing that this timeline, though it may seem long, includes various stages for public feedback and regulatory review.
“We have to do input with you, we have to get this through the rule-making process by going through the environmental quality council, our air quality advisory board, and governor signed off by that date,” noted Amber Potts, DEQ’s air quality resource manager.
The DEQ’s plan is expected to include “rule-off mechanisms” allowing the state to apply less stringent standards to certain oil and gas facilities based on factors like the remaining useful life of equipment. By accounting for these circumstances, the DEQ aims to ease the compliance burden on Wyoming’s oil and gas companies while still meeting federal minimum standards.
The meeting in Cody was one of several held across Wyoming, including events in Laramie, Cheyenne, and Gillette. The final presentation will be held virtually via Zoom on October 31. The DEQ is encouraging stakeholders and the general public to provide feedback by December 2, which will play a key role in shaping the state’s final plan.
“There is a lot to this, and if you’ve got questions, please reach out [to DEQ],” Vehr urged.
Vehr invited the public to contribute perspectives from across Wyoming.
