President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that his administration will rescind a Biden-era regulation targeting methane emissions from oil and gas operations, a move he says will save producers and consumers $45 billion while unlocking 210 million barrels of oil.
The declaration came during a campaign rally in Lubbock, Texas, held in support of Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton.
“Tonight, I’m officially terminating Biden’s expensive and unnecessary methane regulations to save consumers and energy producers $45 billion in costs, unlock vast quantities of Texas natural gas, and produce 210 million barrels of oil,” Trump told the crowd. “We’ve been working on this for a long time.”
President Donald Trump said Tuesday that his administration is ending a Biden-era rule aimed at reducing methane emissions from oil and gas drilling. (Kent Nishimura / AFP via Getty Images)
The rollback aligns with Trump’s broader push to expand domestic energy production as the nation contends with elevated fuel prices and ongoing conflict with Iran. Methane, the primary component of natural gas, is a potent greenhouse gas, with oil and gas operations representing the largest industrial source of such emissions, according to The Associated Press.
The president announced the move during a campaign rally in Lubbock, Texas, saying it would save consumers and energy producers $45 billion and unlock 210 million barrels of oil. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Last month, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin signaled the shift, stating the agency would end its “Super Emitter Program”—which required companies to detect and repair major methane leaks—and ease requirements for smaller wells.
“The Trump EPA is committed to fixing this so the U.S. can reach its full energy potential,” Zeldin said at the time.
The rollback comes as Trump pushes to increase domestic energy production amid high fuel prices and the U.S. war with Iran. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Environmental groups have condemned the decision. “EPA should be fighting this waste, not making it easier,” said Fred Krupp, president of the Environmental Defense Fund.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
