EPA Proposes Weaker Methane Rules as Gas Prices Spike

The Trump administration is moving to dismantle key components of a 2023 rule designed to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. The proposal, announced Tuesday by President Trump in Lubbock, Texas, would scale back regulations under the Clean Air Act. The move comes as Republicans face voter pressure regarding high gasoline prices ahead of the midterm elections.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin stated that the revision would save the industry billions in production costs and encourage domestic drilling. Zeldin described the previous administration’s rules as destructive to the workforce and the economy. The American Petroleum Institute, a trade group for the sector, expressed support for the changes. Dustin Meyer, the group’s vice president, said the rollback offers greater regulatory certainty while continuing to reduce emissions.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, estimated to be 80 times more warming than carbon dioxide over a twenty-year period. The 2023 rules aimed to limit leaks from drilling sites, pipelines, and refineries. The current proposal targets two specific areas: the Methane Super Emitter Program and standards for low-volume wells.

The Super Emitter Program is scheduled to take effect in January 2027. It would allow the government to use data from certified third parties, including private and nonprofit satellite programs, to identify and prosecute large leaks. Paasha Mahdavi, a political science professor at UC Santa Barbara, explained that the program is necessary because methane is invisible and expensive to detect without external help. He noted that without this mechanism, the government would struggle to spot major leaks and enforce the law.

The proposal also loosens regulations on marginal wells, which are defined as marginally economic and produce limited revenue. Jon Goldstein, associate vice president at the Environmental Defense Fund, argued that these old, end-of-life wells are responsible for a large share of methane pollution. He contended that capturing more gas prevents it from leaking or flaring, effectively offsetting compliance costs. Goldstein warned that allowing these leaks to continue harms energy security and reduces royalty and tax revenue for taxpayers.

The EPA plans to publish the proposed rule changes in the Federal Register. Once published, the agency will hold a public comment period of at least 45 days, which will include a public hearing.