Trump says government to ’terminate’ Biden-era methane emissions rules
Critics warn of climate danger as president in Texas claims change will save companies and consumers billions
Donald Trump announced his administration is “terminating” Biden-era regulations holding oil and gas companies accountable for large leaks of planet-warming methane during a rally in Lubbock, Texas, on Tuesday evening.
Trump said during a campaign rally in Texas that the change would save consumers and energy producers $45bn and unlock 210 million barrels of oil – equivalent to about 10 days of US petroleum consumption.
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Oil and gas operators have leaked, vented or flared $7bn worth of natural gas since the EPA announced it would no longer enforce oil and gas regulations in March 2025.
"Since the EPA announced it would no longer enforce oil and gas regulations in March 2025, oil and gas operators have leaked, vented or flared $7bn worth of natural gas, according to calculations by the Environmental Defense Fund."
Donald Trump announced the termination of Biden-era methane emissions regulations during a rally in Lubbock, Texas, on Tuesday evening.
"Donald Trump announced his administration is “terminating” Biden-era regulations holding oil and gas companies accountable for large leaks of planet-warming methane during a rally in Lubbock, Texas, on Tuesday evening."
The 2024 methane rule required oil and gas operators to eliminate and minimize leaking, flaring and venting of methane and volatile organic compounds.
"The 2024 methane rule required oil and gas operators to eliminate and minimize leaking, flaring and venting of methane and of volatile organic compounds, which are harmful to human health."
In March 2025, EPA administrator Lee Zeldin announced the agency was reconsidering the Biden-Harris methane regulations.
"In March 2025, EPA administrator Lee Zeldin announced that the agency was reconsidering the Biden-Harris regulations “to ensure that they do not prevent America from unleashing energy dominance and continuing our trajectory as a leader in clean energy and emissions reductions”."
Records obtained by Fieldnotes show industry groups and companies met with the EPA at least 38 times to discuss methane regulations during the administration's first year.
"Records obtained by Fieldnotes, including calendar events, presentation slides and meeting request forms, show that industry groups and companies met with the EPA to discuss methane regulations at least 38 times during the current administration’s first year."
In April, Continental Resources wrote a letter to the EPA pushing back against methane rule provisions that prohibit routine flaring of associated gas.
"In April, Continental Resources wrote a letter to the EPA pushing back against measures in the methane rule that prohibit routine flaring of associated gas."
Last year, the United States emitted more methane from its oil and gas sector than any other country in the world.
"Last year, the US emitted more methane from its oil and gas sector than any other country in the world. Methane is responsible for at least a quarter of today’s warming."
Donald Trump claimed the regulatory change would save consumers and energy producers $45bn and unlock 210 million barrels of oil.
"Trump said during a campaign rally in Texas that the change would save consumers and energy producers $45bn and unlock 210 million barrels of oil – equivalent to about 10 days of US petroleum consumption."