U.S. Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) on May 21 led 11 Republicans in proposing bicameral legislation that aims to protect small, independent oil and gas producers by providing them with protection against shifting regulatory priorities across administrations.
“America’s energy security depends on the strength of our domestic production, and small producers are a critical part of that equation,” Rep. Pfluger said last week. “Too often, these operators are disadvantaged by costly, one-size-fits-all regulations that were never designed with their operations in mind.”
The Protect Domestic Oil and Gas Small Business Act of 2026, H.R. 8990, would ensure small producers continue operating to help maintain a stable and secure energy supply by amending the Clean Air Act to exempt them from certain federal air pollution rules.
“Through targeted, common-sense reforms to the Clean Air Act, this bill will help keep small producers in business, protect American jobs, and preserve the stable domestic energy supply our economy depends on,” said Rep. Pfluger.
The congressman sponsored H.R. 8990 alongside 11 original cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Bob Latta (R-OH), Jake Ellzey (R-TX), Julie Fedorchak (R-ND), Troy Balderson (R-OH), Gabe Evans (R-CO), and Ron Estes (R-KS),
U.S. Sens. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Jerry Moran (R-KS) are among the lawmakers who on May 21 introduced the identical S. 4619 in the Senate.