Climateupdated 1h ago2 min read
Archive photo · 2 June 2025Trump Terminates Biden-Era Methane Rules in Lubbock, Texas, Citing $45 Billion Savings
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Trump announced termination of Biden-era methane rules at a Texas rally in Lubbock. Rollback touted to save about $45 billion for consumers and energy producers.
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Trump ends methane rules
President Donald Trump announced he would terminate Biden-era methane regulations for oil and gas operations during a campaign rally in Lubbock, Texas, and he said the change would save consumers and energy producers $45 billion in costs.
Trump said, "Tonight, I'm officially terminating Biden's expensive and unnecessary methane regulations to save consumers and energy producers $45 billion in costs, unlock vast quantities of Texas natural gas, and produce 210 million barrels of oil," as he campaigned for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ken Paxton.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin previewed the changes by saying they would eliminate the agency's "Super Emitter Program" that requires companies to investigate and repair major methane releases from oil and natural gas facilities.
The proposal also aims to loosen regulations on methane leaks at lower-production oil wells, and NBC News reported that Trump did not provide further details when he announced the rollback.
Critics warn of more pollution
Environmental groups said the rollback would impose a heavier pollution burden on communities living near oil and gas sites, and ABC News quoted an Environmental Law & Policy Center attorney saying, "It will impose a heavier pollution burden on our front-line communities and make our energy sector less efficient." Fred Krupp, president of the Environmental Defense Fund, criticized the methane rollback as wasteful, telling NBC News, "EPA should be fighting this waste, not making it easier."
Grist reported that the EPA planned to repeal the rules after proposing revisions that would relax methane monitoring and emission-control requirements. Grist also quoted Celerah Hewes of Moms Clean Air Force saying, "Any proposed rollback to the federal methane rule is a slap in the face to families who are exposed to oil and gas pollution where they live, work, and play."
What changes, what’s at risk
The Biden methane rule required operators to monitor overall emissions, inspect wells and pipelines for leaks, and upgrade equipment to prevent escaping gas, and Al Jazeera reported that the EPA estimated the rule would prevent 58 million tons of methane from being emitted in the next 15 years. Al Jazeera reported that the newly released proposal would cancel the Biden administration's Super Emitter Program and reverse Biden-era limits on routine flaring, while giving operators a 30-day window to repair a leak.
The Hill reported that the administration expected to loosen rules for marginal oil and gas wells, ease Biden-era restrictions on flaring, and eliminate the Super Emitter Program requiring energy companies to respond to credible reports of major methane leaks. NBC News said the rollbacks must go through an EPA rulemaking process that includes a public comment period, and it added that the EPA could face legal challenges, including challenges from a coalition of environmental groups that includes the NRDC.