Trump EPA Rolls Back Methane Rules for Oil and Gas — SkimNews
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- Trump announced the termination of Biden’s methane regulations at a rally in Lubbock, Texas, claiming the move will save $45 billion and unlock vast natural gas reserves.
- EPA proposed repealing methane monitoring and emission-control rules, including ending the Super Emitter Program that used satellite data to detect large leaks.
- Stripper wells, which make up 5% of U.S. oil and gas production but over half the industry’s emissions, will face looser requirements under the new rule, with operators given 30 days to fix leaks.
- Lee Zeldin, head of the EPA, stated the agency is committed to dismantling what he called an 'undue burden' on the energy sector, aligning with Trump’s 'energy dominance' agenda.
- Environmental Defense Fund estimates the rollback could waste $7 billion in natural gas since enforcement ended in 2025, reversing climate progress and lost economic value.
- Celerah Hewes of Moms Clean Air Force called the rollback a 'slap in the face' to communities exposed to pollution from oil and gas operations near homes and schools.
Why it matters: The rollback benefits large operators of stripper wells—like Hilcorp and Diversified Energy—that own tens of thousands of high-emission wells, while increasing health risks for nearby communities, especially in Texas, where 136,000 such wells exist and federal pressure to act is now gone.
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