Trump says he’ll roll back Biden-era methane rules for oil and gas companies

Key Points:

• President Donald Trump announced plans to roll back methane emissions regulations for oil and gas producers that were finalized by the Biden administration in 2024, aiming to ease restrictions on low-production wells and eliminate the EPA’s Super Emitter Program.
• The rollback targets smaller "stripper wells," which produce about 7-8% of U.S. natural gas but may account for roughly half of methane leaks, with proponents arguing compliance costs threaten their profitability.
• Environmental and health groups warn that loosening methane rules will increase pollution and exacerbate climate change, as methane is a potent greenhouse gas roughly 80 times stronger than carbon dioxide over 20 years.
• The EPA rollback must undergo a rulemaking process with public comments and is expected to face legal challenges from environmental organizations like the Natural Resources Defense Council.
• This action is part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to dismantle climate change regulations, including repealing vehicle emissions rules and relaxing limits on power plant pollution, despite increasing global climate impacts such as record-breaking heat.