Donald Trump announced the rollback of federal regulations aimed at cutting methane emissions from oil and gas companies during a campaign rally in Lubbock, Texas on Tuesday. The move targets rules established by the Biden administration in 2023 to curb emissions of methane, which functions as a heat-trapping super pollutant in the atmosphere.
Termination of Methane Regulations
Trump stated to the crowd that he was officially terminating the regulations implemented by his predecessor to provide financial relief for consumers and energy producers. He described the eliminated policy as expensive and unnecessary, arguing that the methane rules had placed crippling burdens on small oil and gas operators and caused energy prices to skyrocket.
EPA Support and Projected Savings
Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lee Zeldin praised the decision in a press release, describing the action as an effort to end what he characterized as a war on oil and natural gas through the revision of regulations under the Clean Air Act.
The EPA reported that the proposed changes are projected to save consumers and businesses $45 billion in costs, which includes small businesses running marginal wells. Additionally, the agency estimated that the rollback will yield 210 million additional barrels of oil and 1.41 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
