Trump Moves to Weaken Methane Limits on Oil and Gas Producers

President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday plans to roll back federal methane emission rules for oil and gas producers, saying the move would save consumers and energy companies $45 billion. Trump made the announcement at a rally in Lubbock, Texas, held in support of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is fighting for a U.S. Senate seat ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.

"Tonight, I'm officially terminating Biden's expensive and unnecessary methane regulations to save consumers and energy producers $45 billion," Trump told the crowd. The Environmental Protection Agency had earlier cited the same $45 billion figure without providing a detailed breakdown of the savings.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin defended the rollback, arguing that energy producers should not be "weighed down by unnecessary burdens" that push up costs for ordinary Americans.

The proposed changes include eliminating the Super Emitter Program, which allows EPA-approved observers to report methane leaks exceeding 100 kilograms (220 pounds) per hour. The package would also weaken oversight of marginal wells producing 15 barrels or less of oil equivalent per day, and loosen restrictions on the routine flaring of associated gas — a widespread practice in oil-heavy regions such as the Permian Basin, where the gas that surfaces alongside crude is often burned off because capturing it costs more than it is worth.

Methane, the main component of natural gas, is the second-largest cause of global warming after carbon dioxide, responsible for roughly one-third of total planetary heating — about 0.5°C — since the preindustrial era. According to the International Energy Agency, the United States is the world's leading emitter of methane from its oil and gas sector.