GoKawiilEPA moves to roll back Biden-era methane leak rules for oil and gas wells
The EPA, under Administrator Lee Zeldin, is set to propose undoing Biden-era methane regulations that were projected to cut emissions from oil and gas operations by 80 percent over 14 years. The rollback would ease standards on low-producing 'marginal wells,' which account for about half of industry methane emissions despite producing only 6 percent of US oil and gas, and would eliminate the Super Emitter Program that flagged large methane releases.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas responsible for roughly 30 percent of global warming to date, so loosening leak controls could increase emissions from aging infrastructure that is disproportionately polluting. Zeldin frames the move as saving industry $45 billion versus $18 billion in compliance costs under the prior rule, suggesting the administration is prioritizing short-term industry savings over the climate costs such leaks impose. Ending the Super Emitter Program could also reduce public visibility into major methane releases, potentially weakening accountability for operators.
- EPA plans to reverse Biden-era methane rules expected to cut emissions 80% over 14 years.
- Marginal wells, producing just 6% of US oil and gas, account for roughly half of industry methane leaks.
- The rollback would end the Super Emitter Program that alerted operators to large methane releases.
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Published there as: “Trump is making it easier for fossil fuel companies to leak methane”
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