Donald Trump proposed rolling back Biden-era methane rules for oil and gas producers
Donald Trump proposed rolling back Biden-era methane rules at a Tuesday rally in Lubbock, Texas. He said it would save consumers and energy producers $45 billion. NPR reported smaller wells produce 6% of U.S. oil and gas but account for up to half of oil-and-gas-field methane emissions. The EPA plans to end its Super Emitter Program.
More context
Donald Trump announced a proposal to roll back Biden-era methane rules for oil and gas producers at a campaign rally in Lubbock, Texas, on Tuesday, though the change has not yet been completed. Trump said the move would save consumers and energy producers $45 billion; Fox Business reported he also said it would unlock 210 million barrels of oil. He said Biden’s plan had “crushed the small operators.” Unlike earlier rules focused on new wells, the Biden rule covered existing wells and would have required operators to plug methane leaks at smaller wells. Those smaller wells account for as much as half of methane emissions from oil and gas fields, despite producing only 6% of U.S. oil and gas, NPR reported. The EPA also plans to end its Super Emitter Program for reporting major leaks and is expected to ease flaring restrictions.
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Reporting
- Fox Business — Trump ends Biden admin methane rule, says it will unlock 210M barrels of oil | Fox Business
- NBC News — Trump says he’ll roll back Biden-era methane rules for oil and gas companies
- The New York Times — E.P.A. to Loosen Methane Rules for Oil Firms - The New York Times
- National Public Radio — Trump says he's ending restrictions on climate-warming methane from oil drilling
- The Hill — Trump plans to loosen oil and gas methane rules
- Bloomberg — Trump Proposes Relaxing EPA Methane Controls on Oil and Gas Operations - Bloomberg
- The Guardian — Trump says government to 'terminate' Biden-era methane ...
Verifier’s note
Fox Business, NBC News, The New York Times, NPR, The Hill, Bloomberg, and The Guardian all report that Trump announced or planned to roll back Biden-era methane rules for oil and gas operations. The reports are consistent with the proposed event; The New York Times reported the planned move ahead of the rally announcement.