Methane rules face steep cuts as energy sector seeks cost relief

The Environmental Protection Agency is moving to strip back regulations on methane emissions from the oil and gas industry. The proposal, released on Tuesday, targets rules finalized in 2023 during the Biden administration. These rules were designed to limit leaks from drilling sites across the United States. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, estimated to be eighty times more warming than carbon dioxide over a twenty-year period.

President Trump announced the revision while campaigning in Lubbock, Texas. He stated the changes would save the industry billions in production costs and encourage more domestic drilling. The timing coincides with Republican concerns over high gas prices ahead of midterm elections. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin defended the move, describing the previous rules as destructive to the nation's economic backbone.

The 2023 regulations faced immediate opposition from the energy sector. Industry groups argued the compliance costs were burdensome. Dustin Meyer, vice president at the American Petroleum Institute, said the new approach would provide regulatory certainty. He added that it would support American energy production while still advancing emissions reductions.

A key component of the rollback is the removal of the Methane Super Emitter Program. This program was set to take effect in January 2027. It would have allowed the government to use data from certified third-party satellite programs to detect large leaks. Paasha Mahdavi, a political science professor at UC Santa Barbara, noted that methane is invisible and expensive to detect. He said the government needs outside help to identify violations and enforce the law.

The proposal also loosens standards for low-volume marginal wells. These are oil wells that are considered marginally economic because they generate little profit. Jon Goldstein, associate vice president at the Environmental Defense Fund, argued that these end-of-life wells are responsible for a large share of methane pollution. He contended that capturing more gas for sale would offset compliance costs, whereas allowing leaks harms energy security and taxpayer revenue.

The EPA will publish the proposed rule changes in the Federal Register. The agency plans to hold a public comment period of at least forty-five days. A public hearing will also be scheduled during this window. The final rule will depend on the feedback received during this process.