Trump Rolls Back Biden Methane Rule, Citing Billions in Savings and Increased Oil Production
President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that his administration is officially terminating a Biden-era rule aimed at reducing methane emissions from oil and gas drilling operations. Speaking during a midterm campaign rally in Lubbock, Texas, held in support of Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ken Paxton, Trump framed the rollback as a major economic and energy milestone.
“Tonight, I’m officially terminating Biden’s expensive and unnecessary methane regulations to save consumers and energy producers $45 billion in costs, unlock vast quantities of Texas natural gas, and produce 210 million barrels of oil,” Trump told the crowd, adding that his administration had been working on the policy shift for a long time.
The administrative reversal arrives as Trump aggressively pushes to expand domestic energy production against a backdrop of elevated fuel prices and the ongoing U.S. war with Iran.
Methane, the primary component of natural gas, represents a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. According to industry data, oil and gas operations constitute the largest industrial source of methane releases nationwide.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin signaled the direction of the policy last month, announcing that the agency would dismantle its “Super Emitter Program,” which mandates that energy companies locate and repair major methane leaks. In addition, the EPA plans to loosen regulatory requirements governing smaller oil and gas wells.
“The Trump EPA is committed to fixing this so the U.S. can reach its full energy potential,” Zeldin stated previously regarding the regulatory adjustments.
The rollback has drawn immediate condemnation from environmental organizations, which contend that abandoning the restrictions will accelerate atmospheric pollution and undermine climate efforts.
“EPA should be fighting this waste, not making it easier,” said Fred Krupp, president of the Environmental Defense Fund, criticizing the decision to dismantle the oversight programs.
