Trump drastically loosens oil and gas methane rules — SkimNews
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- Trump announced the rollback of Biden-era methane rules at a Texas rally on October 27, 2026, stating the action would save $45 billion for energy producers and consumers.
- EPA proposed eliminating the 'Super Emitter Program,' which allowed third-party monitoring of large methane leaks exceeding 100 kilograms per hour.
- Oil and gas operators will face weaker restrictions on emissions from 'marginal wells' producing 15 barrels or less per day, under the new EPA changes.
- Lee Zeldin defended the rollback, arguing that energy producers must not be burdened by rules that hinder affordable heating and transportation costs.
- Julia Kane of Fieldnotes criticized the revised standard as 'toothless,' saying it enables continued methane leakage and flaring under minimal oversight.
- U.S. oil and gas sector remains the world’s top methane emitter, according to the International Energy Agency, with emissions occurring across extraction, processing, and distribution.
Why it matters: The $45 billion in claimed savings benefits fossil fuel producers, especially in Texas, while weakening climate safeguards. With methane responsible for about 0.5°C of global warming, looser rules increase near-term warming risks despite short atmospheric lifespan, undercutting prior federal climate efforts.
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