{
  "id": 16831782,
  "title": "US moves to scrap methane rules for oil drillers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/us-moves-to-scrap-methane-rules-for-oil-drillers",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-28T01:24:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Economic Times",
    "slug": "the-economic-times",
    "url": "https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/trump-says-hes-ending-restrictions-on-climate-warming-methane-from-oil-drilling/articleshow/135248886.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that his administration will repeal a Biden-era rule targeting methane emissions from oil and gas drilling. The move aims to save companies and consumers billions of dollars by unlocking 210 million barrels of oil, equivalent to about 10 days of U.S. petroleum consumption. This step is expected to encourage more domestic drilling amid criticism over high fuel prices stemming from the Iran war.\n\nMethane, a potent greenhouse gas responsible for about a third of planet-warming emissions, is primarily released during oil and gas operations. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin had hinted at these changes, suggesting that the Super Emitter Program would be eliminated, and less restrictive standards would be set for small oil and gas wells.\n\nTrump criticized Biden's plan, alleging that it burdened small operators with \"crippling regulations\" and cost consumers and energy producers $45 billion in additional expenses. He vowed to \"officially terminate Biden's expensive and unnecessary methane regulations to save consumers and energy producers $45 billion in costs.\"\n\nThis rollback comes as Trump and his Republican allies in Congress continue to dismantle various climate policies established under former President Joe Biden, including revoking a scientific finding central to U.S. greenhouse gas emission efforts and lowering fuel economy standards for vehicles. Environmental groups, however, argue that this latest rollback will allow companies to continue polluting the atmosphere with methane, a gas that could be captured and used for energy. Fred Krupp, President of the Environmental Defense Fund, expressed disappointment, stating that the EPA should be combating this waste instead of making it easier for companies.\n\nThe Biden methane rule, unveiled during a 2023 U.N. climate conference in the United Arab Emirates, aimed to prevent 58 million tons of methane emissions by 2038 and reduce other pollutants causing health issues. By 2034, it was projected to yield $98 billion in benefits by addressing future social costs of greenhouse gas emissions. The final rule, published in 2024, was delayed by 18 months to allow companies time to comply with new inspection requirements and provisions.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}