The US Environmental Protection Agency under President Trump is set to announce rollbacks on methane leak rules that were enacted during the Biden administration to reduce methane emissions by 80% over 14 years, drawing sharp criticism from environmental groups.
- Methane rules rollback to reduce regulatory costs by $45 billion
- Old wells, responsible for half of methane emissions, face looser standards
- Environmental and health groups warn of heightened pollution risks
What happened
The EPA under the Trump administration announced plans to weaken federal rules that limit methane emissions from oil and gas operations. These rules, introduced during the Biden era, aimed to reduce methane emissions by 80% over 14 years by plugging leaks from wells and pipelines.
The rollback includes easing standards on 'marginal wells', which are older wells producing limited fossil fuel but disproportionately high methane emissions. Additionally, the EPA intends to discontinue the Super Emitter Program, which notified operators of large methane releases exceeding 100 kilograms per hour.
Why it matters
Methane is a greenhouse gas up to 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period, significantly contributing to global warming. Its reduction is seen as a critical and potentially quick way to slow temperature rise because methane dissipates much faster than CO2 in the atmosphere.
The rollback is projected by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to save the oil and gas industry $45 billion, compared to the $18 billion cost of compliance under the previous rules. However, this deregulation raises concerns among health and environmental advocates who emphasize the risks to air quality, public health, and climate, particularly around communities living near fossil fuel infrastructure.
What to watch next
Environmental groups and state agencies are expected to challenge or resist the rollbacks through legal and regulatory avenues, seeking to maintain or restore methane leak controls. The impact of these changes will be closely monitored, especially in states with heavy oil and gas production such as Texas.
The broader implications for US climate goals and international commitments will come under scrutiny, especially considering methane’s outsized role in near-term global warming. Ongoing developments will also factor into future policy debates as the balance between energy production and environmental protection continues to shape US energy strategy.