Trump Administration Rescinds Methane Emissions Rule

Former President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that his administration is rescinding a rule implemented under the Biden administration that aimed to reduce methane emissions from oil and gas drilling operations. Trump stated at a campaign rally in Texas that the change is intended to save companies and consumers billions of dollars and would allow for the extraction of an additional 210 million barrels of oil.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, responsible for a significant portion of planet-warming emissions, according to scientists. Oil and gas operations are identified as the largest industrial source of methane, which is more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide over the short term. The invisible gas can leak from equipment or be burned off as waste by oil drillers.

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin had previously indicated the elimination of the agency's "Super Emitter Program," which required companies to address major methane releases. The administration also planned to implement less stringent standards for smaller oil and gas wells. Trump asserted that the Biden administration's regulations had burdened smaller operators with excessive costs.

"I’m officially terminating Biden’s expensive and unnecessary methane regulations to save consumers and energy producers $45 billion in costs," Trump said during the rally.

This rollback of methane emissions regulations is part of a broader effort by Trump and congressional Republicans to dismantle climate policies enacted during the Biden administration. Previous actions included revoking scientific findings central to U.S. greenhouse gas regulations, lowering fuel economy standards for vehicles, and attempting to repeal emission restrictions for power plants.

Environmental groups have criticized the move, arguing it permits continued pollution and provides companies with a financial advantage at the expense of consumers and the environment. The Environmental Defense Fund stated that the EPA should be preventing such waste rather than facilitating it.

The Biden administration's methane rule, finalized in 2024, was projected to prevent approximately 58 million tons of methane emissions by 2038 and yield significant benefits related to public health and the environment. This rule expanded regulations to cover existing oil and gas wells, including smaller ones that contribute disproportionately to methane emissions. The rule was also designed to complement a methane fee established by the 2022 climate law, which was later repealed.

Previous administrations have also attempted to regulate methane emissions from oil and gas, with efforts under former President Barack Obama being scaled back during Trump's first term. The EPA had previously delayed the implementation of the Biden methane rule by 18 months to allow companies time to comply with new requirements.