Trump announces plan to roll back methane rules

President Donald Trump announced at a rally in Lubbock, Texas, on October 27 that his administration plans to roll back Biden-era methane regulations for oil and gas producers, saying the change would save consumers and energy companies $45 billion and increase domestic production. The announcement outlines a proposed change, not a completed rulemaking. Trump also said the changes would unlock Texas natural gas and produce 210 million barrels of oil. Those savings and production figures are claims by Trump and the administration; the reports provide no independent assessment establishing that the outcomes will occur. The Environmental Protection Agency previously cited the $45 billion savings estimate without providing a detailed breakdown. The EPA has previewed several elements of the plan, including less restrictive requirements for low-producing wells, changes to rules governing routine flaring of associated gas, and elimination of its Super Emitter Program. That program allows EPA-approved observers to report major methane releases. The agency had delayed implementation of the program before signaling it would end it. The precise requirements of any proposed and final rule...