Trump Moves to Roll Back Methane Rules for Oil and Gas Wells

President Donald Trump and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin are advancing plans to ease federal methane emissions requirements for US oil and natural gas operations, citing projected economic savings and increased domestic production. Announced at a Republican campaign rally in Texas on October 27, 2026, the proposal would replace standards finalized under the Biden administration in 2024 and could reduce regulatory costs by $45 billion, according to the EPA.

The agency estimates that the proposed changes could enable an additional 210 million barrels of oil and 1.41 trillion cubic feet of natural gas production. The administration argues that easing compliance requirements would reduce costs for energy producers and consumers, particularly operators of marginal wells.

According to the EPA, the 2024 regulations were estimated to cost $18 billion. Marginal wells, which generally produce relatively small quantities of oil or gas, account for approximately four out of five producing wells in the United States.

Trump announced the rollback in Lubbock, Texas, while supporting Republican US Senate candidate Ken Paxton. His administration has framed the changes as part of a broader effort to expand domestic energy production amid high fuel prices and the US war with Iran.

Trump said the administration expected the changes to lower costs and increase access to domestic energy resources.

"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," Trump said.

He also indicated that the administration had pursued the change for an extended period.

"We've been working on this for a long time," Trump said.

The EPA's proposal offers two alternative methods for classifying well sites. One would distinguish marginal wells from higher-producing operations, while the other would separate conventional resource extraction from unconventional production.

The agency also proposes withdrawing its Super Emitter Program, which requires the identification and repair of major methane leaks. The EPA cited legal concerns and argued that existing practices provide sufficient information to address significant emissions incidents.

Additional provisions would distinguish design requirements from operational requirements for covers and vent systems, allowing repairs. The proposal would also restore the use of control devices with 95% efficiency for flaring and revise technical requirements for monitoring emissions from control systems.

Lee Zeldin said the administration viewed the changes as a way to address industry concerns while maintaining environmental protections. He also argued that increased production could benefit the wider economy through lower energy prices.

"Behind every barrel of oil and every cubic foot of natural gas produced in the US are millions of workers, businesses, and the heartbeat of this nation's economy. The Biden EPA destructively targeted all this. President Trump promised to end the war on oil and natural gas, and I vowed to do my part, while protecting our environment.

"We have listened to Americans' concerns and are taking our biggest step yet to fix it. When owners and operators can produce, America benefits with lower prices. That is common sense, and it's what we're delivering with this proposal," Zeldin said.

Zeldin first signaled plans to reconsider the 2024 standards in March 2025. The EPA subsequently extended compliance deadlines and revised requirements concerning flaring and emissions reporting during 2025 and 2026, according to Energy Monitor.

Environmental groups have opposed the proposed rollback, warning that weaker requirements could increase pollution from oil and gas operations. Methane is the principal component of natural gas and a potent greenhouse gas, while oil and gas operations are the largest industrial source of methane emissions in the United States, according to The Associated Press.

Fred Krupp, president of the Environmental Defense Fund, argued that the EPA should prioritize preventing emissions rather than relaxing oversight.

"EPA should be fighting this waste, not making it easier," Krupp said.

The EPA is seeking input from state governments and industry operators as it continues the rulemaking process. The proposed changes remain part of that process, which could determine how federal emissions requirements apply to US oil and natural gas facilities.