Trump says he's ending restrictions on climate-warming emissions from oil drilling

President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that his administration will terminate a Biden-era rule aimed at reducing methane emissions from oil and gas drilling, a move that could save consumers and energy producers $45 billion and unlock 210 million barrels of oil. Trump argued that this would encourage more domestic drilling, especially as the U.S. faces criticism over high fuel prices amid the ongoing war in Iran.

Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is responsible for about a third of planet-warming emissions, and its reduction has become a global priority to slow climate change. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin had previously explained that the rule would eliminate the Super Emitter Program, which required companies to investigate and repair major methane leaks, and would set less restrictive standards for small oil and gas wells.

Environmental groups strongly criticized the rollback, stating that it would allow companies to continue polluting the atmosphere with methane, which could be captured for energy use. They also warned that it would burden frontline communities with heavier pollution and make the energy sector less efficient. The Biden methane rule, announced during a U.N. climate conference in 2023, was projected to prevent 58 million tons of methane emissions by 2038 and reduce other pollutants causing health problems, yielding $98 billion in benefits by 2034.

However, the Trump administration deemed the regulation costly and detrimental to the U.S. energy potential.