Dive Brief:

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will issue final rules on greenhouse gas limits sometime in August, according to the Obama administration's "Unified Agenda" which was released last week in advance of the Memorial Day weekend.
• The Obama administration will also launch a proposed rulemaking on emissions from the gas and oil sectors, with final regulations expected in about a year.
• The Hill notes that rules are also expected from the EPA to tackle how the agency will deal with states which refuse to develop Clean Power Plan compliance strategies.

Dive Insight:

It will be a busy summer for those focused on energy and environmental regulations. The Obama administration has issued its Unified Agenda — per usual, as The Hill points out, in advance of a holiday weekend — with many of the regulatory initiatives targeting energy pollution.

The EPA is still on track to issue final rules this summer and has set an August deadline, keeping in line with the timeline officials set earlier this year. The government is targeting a 30% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030, and states will have about a year to develop compliance plans. 

Some states have indicated they will not be filing a compliance plan, however. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has urged states to refuse to comply with the Clean Power Plan, and while it is unclear just how much traction the idea some states have been mulling their options. None of the major gubernatorial candidates in Kentucky supports compliance, and Oklahoma and Texas have both explored not filing plans.

Which means among other rules expected out this summer, the Obama administration will determine how it will develop plans for states which do not submit compliance strategies. Other rules being considered include regulations to limit methane emissions from the oil and gas industries, and tighter efficiency standards on large trucks to reduce greenhouse emissions.