Trump Announces Plan to Ease Oil and Gas Methane Rules

President Donald Trump will announce a plan to ease federal methane regulations for oil and gas producers during campaign visits to Corpus Christi and Lubbock, Texas, on Tuesday. Developed by the Environmental Protection Agency, the proposal rolls back Biden-era requirements for monitoring wells and fixing leaky equipment to lower gasoline prices and increase domestic energy production.

The EPA will relax requirements for marginal wells producing 15 barrels of oil equivalent per day or less. These wells represent approximately 75% of U.S. wells and account for roughly half of the industry's methane emissions. Additionally, the administration will terminate the Methane Super Emitter Program, which previously allowed third-party monitors to report large leaks via satellite.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin stated the changes aim to reduce industry burdens, estimating a $45 billion saving for the sector through 2050. The move comes as fuel prices have become a political liability for Republicans amid the war with Iran. The announcement coincides with rallies to support Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton in a close race against Democrat James Talarico.

Critics, including New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, argue the rollback increases pollution and accelerates global warming. Lujan Grisham vowed that New Mexico's own methane rules will remain in place and may be strengthened, while Colorado has recently adopted rules replicating the previous federal standards.