BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota regulators have adopted the most stringent rules to date aimed at reducing the amount of natural gas that is burned off and wasted as a byproduct of the state’s soaring oil production.

The state Industrial Commission, which regulates North Dakota’s oil and gas industry, endorsed a policy Tuesday that sets goals to reduce flaring in incremental steps through 2020. The new rules allow regulators to set production limits on oil companies if the targets are not met.

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