EPA proposes scrapping $11 billion in methane regulations

The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a major reduction to the 2023 methane emission standards for the oil and gas industry. The draft rule, released on Tuesday, seeks to cut compliance costs by an estimated $11 billion over the next decade. President Donald Trump announced the move during a campaign stop in Lubbock, Texas, framing the change as a way to boost domestic drilling and lower production expenses for energy firms.

The original regulations were finalized under the Biden administration to limit methane, a greenhouse gas approximately 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a twenty-year period. The new proposal targets specific provisions, including the Methane Super Emitter Program, which was set to begin in January 2027. That program allowed the government to hire certified third parties to detect large leaks from pipelines and refineries using satellite data.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin defended the revision as a corrective measure for what he called destructive targeting by the previous administration. In a press release, Zeldin stated that millions of workers and businesses rely on the production of oil and natural gas. "The Biden EPA destructively targeted all this," he said. He emphasized that the agency aims to support the workforce while maintaining environmental standards.

Industry leaders have responded positively to the draft. Dustin Meyer, a vice president at the American Petroleum Institute, said the group supports a "more workable approach" that provides regulatory certainty. Meyer noted that the previous rules created significant compliance difficulties for operators. The proposal would also relax requirements for low-volume marginal wells, which are often less profitable but frequently cited for high emissions.

Environmental advocates argue the rollback will increase waste and reduce government revenue. Jon Goldstein, an associate vice president at the Environmental Defense Fund, explained that capturing methane adds value to the product sold. He warned that leaked gas deprives taxpayers of royalty and tax income. Goldstein added that older wells nearing the end of their life account for a large portion of pollution in the production sector.

Paasha Mahdavi, a political science professor at UC Santa Barbara, noted that independent monitoring is essential for identifying violations. He said authorities need outside help to spot leaks that are invisible to the naked eye. Without the super emitter program, Mahdavi said, it will be more difficult for regulators to enforce standards and prosecute violators.

The EPA will hold a public comment period of at least 45 days after the proposal is published in the Federal Register. A public hearing is also scheduled during this window to gather input from stakeholders before the final rule is issued.