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Methane Pollution Accountability Act

USA119th CongressHR-10065| House 
| Updated: 8/6/2026
Luz M. Rivas

Luz M. Rivas

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (2)
Jared Huffman (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)

Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, known as the "Methane Pollution Accountability Act," aims to increase accountability for methane emissions by expanding the scope of gas royalties. For new leases on Federal land and the Outer Continental Shelf, it mandates that royalties be assessed on all gas produced , including gas lost through venting, flaring, or negligent releases during upstream operations. However, it provides specific exceptions for gas vented or flared during emergencies, gas used for the benefit of the lease area, or gas that is unavoidably lost. The legislation also directs the Bureau of Land Management to enforce the existing "Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation" rule from April 2024. It explicitly prohibits the finalization of a proposed rule from June 2026 concerning royalties for lost oil and gas. Additionally, the bill prevents the BLM from revising the 2024 waste prevention rule unless the Director certifies that such revisions would further minimize natural gas waste or improve air quality and public health.
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Timeline
Aug 6, 2026
Introduced in House
Aug 6, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
  • August 6, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • August 6, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Methane Pollution Accountability Act

USA119th CongressHR-10065| House 
| Updated: 8/6/2026
This bill, known as the "Methane Pollution Accountability Act," aims to increase accountability for methane emissions by expanding the scope of gas royalties. For new leases on Federal land and the Outer Continental Shelf, it mandates that royalties be assessed on all gas produced , including gas lost through venting, flaring, or negligent releases during upstream operations. However, it provides specific exceptions for gas vented or flared during emergencies, gas used for the benefit of the lease area, or gas that is unavoidably lost. The legislation also directs the Bureau of Land Management to enforce the existing "Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation" rule from April 2024. It explicitly prohibits the finalization of a proposed rule from June 2026 concerning royalties for lost oil and gas. Additionally, the bill prevents the BLM from revising the 2024 waste prevention rule unless the Director certifies that such revisions would further minimize natural gas waste or improve air quality and public health.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Aug 6, 2026
Introduced in House
Aug 6, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
  • August 6, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • August 6, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Luz M. Rivas

Luz M. Rivas

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (2)
Jared Huffman (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)

Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted