Trump Admin Proposes Methane Regulation Rollback

The Trump administration is proposing to reduce methane emission regulations under the Clean Air Act, aiming to ease compliance burdens on the oil and gas industry.

The proposed changes would eliminate the Methane Super Emitter Program, which was set to take effect in January 2027 and allowed for third-party monitoring of large methane leaks.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin stated the revisions would save the industry billions in production costs and promote domestic drilling, as Republicans face backlash over high gas prices ahead of the midterms.

The oil and gas industry, which opposed the 2023 Biden-era rules, welcomed the proposed rollback, citing the need for regulatory certainty and support for energy production.

Environmental groups argue that reducing methane emissions could ultimately cost the industry more, as capturing more natural gas reduces leaks and increases revenue.

The Methane Super Emitter Program was designed to help the government detect and address large methane leaks, which are often invisible and difficult to track without specialized tools.

Experts warn that without the program, the government may struggle to identify and address significant methane leaks from oil and gas facilities, which contribute significantly to climate change.