By Ahmed Abdelsalam
Former President Donald Trump announced a rollback of federal methane regulations during a campaign rally in Lubbock, Texas, on Tuesday. The rules, issued by the Biden administration in 2023, required oil and gas companies to cut emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Trump calls regulations 'crippling'
"Tonight, I'm officially terminating Biden's expensive and unnecessary methane regulations to save consumers and energy producers," Trump told the crowd. He described the rules as "crippling regulations on methane that caused prices to skyrocket" for small oil and gas operators.
EPA administrator supports move
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin praised the decision in a press release, calling it a move "to end the war on oil and natural gas" by revising regulations under the Clean Air Act.
Projected economic impact
The EPA estimates the proposal will save $45 billion in costs to consumers and businesses, including small businesses operating marginal wells. The agency also projects an additional 210 million barrels of oil and 1.41 trillion cubic feet of natural gas production.
