Former US President Donald Trump has unveiled plans to rescind regulations from the Biden administration designed to curb methane emissions in the oil and gas sector. Speaking at a rally in Lubbock, Texas, Trump argued that these regulations were burdensome and unnecessary, suggesting that their removal would save consumers and producers $45 billion while unlocking an additional 210 million barrels of oil.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under Administrator Lee Zeldin, is working on revising emissions regulations for oil and gas operations as outlined in the Clean Air Act. These proposed changes are expected to facilitate the production of approximately 1.41 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
The move has sparked concern among environmental and public health organizations. Critics warn that relaxing methane controls could exacerbate pollution, degrade air quality, and accelerate global warming. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, significantly impacts climate change. It is released through leaks, venting, and flaring during oil and gas operations, alongside other harmful pollutants like volatile organic compounds and hazardous substances such as benzene and formaldehyde.
The Biden-era regulations, introduced in 2024, established nationwide requirements to reduce methane emissions from existing oil and gas facilities. These included measures to limit leaks and routine flaring, as well as a program to identify and address major emissions events using approved monitoring technologies.
The Trump administration began its review of these regulations in March 2025, arguing that certain requirements could hinder domestic energy production and undermine US energy competitiveness. Proponents of the revisions claim that easing regulatory burdens could boost oil and gas production, while environmental advocates argue that weaker standards could lead to wastage of natural gas and heightened health and environmental risks for nearby communities.
The ongoing debate underscores the tension between expanding domestic fossil fuel production and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The eventual impact of the proposed regulatory changes will depend on the final rules adopted and their subsequent implementation.
