Trump says he's ending restrictions on climate-warming methane from oil drilling

Key Points:

• President Donald Trump announced the termination of a Biden-era methane emissions rule aimed at reducing greenhouse gases from oil and gas drilling, claiming it will save companies and consumers $45 billion and unlock 210 million barrels of oil.
• The Biden rule targeted methane leaks from both new and existing wells, including smaller wells responsible for a significant share of emissions, and was projected to prevent 58 million tons of methane emissions by 2038 with benefits valued at $98 billion by 2034.
• The Environmental Protection Agency under Trump plans to eliminate the "Super Emitter Program" and relax standards for small wells, a move criticized by environmental groups for allowing continued pollution and wasting potential energy resources.
• The rollback is part of a broader effort by Trump and congressional Republicans to dismantle climate policies enacted under Biden, including revoking key scientific findings and lowering fuel economy and emission standards.
• The Biden methane rule was linked to a methane fee program established by the 2022 climate law, which would have imposed charges on excess methane emissions, but the fee was repealed shortly after Trump took office.