By Fatma Younis
President Donald Trump announced Tuesday his administration will roll back Biden-era methane emissions regulations for oil and gas producers, a move aimed at lowering energy costs ahead of midterm elections.
EPA Plans to Ease Methane Leak Rules
The Environmental Protection Agency previewed the changes this month, promising to loosen regulations on methane leaks at lower-production oil wells, known as stripper wells. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the rollback would help Americans afford heating and transportation by reducing burdens on energy producers.
Impact on Low-Producing Wells
Stripper wells produce about 7% to 8% of U.S. natural gas but may account for roughly 50% of methane leaking into the atmosphere, research suggests. The National Stripper Well Association has argued compliance costs make these wells uneconomical to operate.
Environmental Groups Criticize Rollback
Environmental and health groups warned the rollback would increase pollution and worsen climate change. The American Lung Association said rolling back methane protections also reduces safeguards against volatile organic compounds released alongside methane. The Natural Resources Defense Council called methane leaks one of the "dumbest" forms of pollution because the industry loses sellable product.
Legal Challenges Expected
The rollbacks must go through an EPA rulemaking process with a public comment period. Environmental groups, including the NRDC, are expected to sue if a final rule is implemented. The methane rollback is part of a broader Trump administration effort to dismantle climate regulations, including recent repeals of vehicle emissions rules and power plant limits.
Broader Climate Policy Shift
The administration has also upended the EPA's endangerment finding that greenhouse gases threaten public health. Zeldin described the agenda as driving "a dagger through the heart of climate-change religion." Global temperatures continue to rise, with the past 11 years being the warmest on record.
