HB6081, the “Closing Loopholes for Oil and other Sources of Emissions Act” or the “CLOSE Act,” would amend the Clean Air Act to remove an existing exemption that limits aggregation of emissions from oil and gas sources. In practical terms, the bill would make it easier for emissions from oil and gas operations to be treated collectively for purposes of federal air pollution regulation, rather than being segmented in a way that can keep individual facilities below regulatory thresholds.
The bill also directs the Environmental Protection Agency to add hydrogen sulfide to the list of hazardous air pollutants within 180 days of enactment. After that, EPA would be required to update the Clean Air Act’s source-category lists within 365 days to include major and area sources of hydrogen sulfide, specifically including oil and gas wells. This would expand federal hazardous air pollutant regulation to cover additional oil and gas-related emissions and sources.
Impact
If enacted, HB6081 would amend section 112(n) of the Clean Air Act by striking the paragraph that provides the oil and gas aggregation exemption, thereby broadening how emissions from oil and gas sources are counted under federal air toxics rules. It would also require EPA rulemaking to classify hydrogen sulfide as a hazardous air pollutant and to identify regulated source categories and subcategories, including oil and gas wells. The bill would likely increase regulatory obligations for oil and gas operators and potentially other industrial sources emitting hydrogen sulfide, while strengthening federal air-quality oversight and enforcement authority.
Sentiment
The available context suggests the bill is being advanced by a group of Democratic House members and is framed as an environmental and public-health measure aimed at closing regulatory loopholes. Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, there is no direct evidence of broader bipartisan support or opposition in the available record. The bill’s introduction and referral to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce indicate it is at an early stage of consideration.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely to be the bill’s effect on the oil and gas industry, which would face stricter emissions aggregation rules and new hazardous-air-pollutant requirements for hydrogen sulfide. Supporters are likely to argue that the current exemption allows emissions to be undercounted and weakens protections for communities near oil and gas operations, while opponents would likely contend that the bill increases compliance burdens, expands federal regulation, and could affect production costs and permitting. No specific objections or amendments are documented in the provided materials.
Codifies finding that greenhouse gas emissions contribute to climate change and endanger public health, safety, welfare, and environment; amends "Air Pollution Control Act (1954)" to define greenhouse gases as air pollutants subject to regulation.