The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed easing the Biden-era EPA methane rules for oil and gas. President Donald Trump and EPA head Lee Zeldin unveiled the plan at a rally in Lubbock, Texas, on Tuesday.
What changes in the EPA methane rules
First, the EPA wants to scrap the “super emitter” programme. Under it, certified third parties flag large leaks. Second, it would let oil wells flare associated gas at 95% efficiency. Today, they must send all of it to a sales line. In addition, the plan creates separate standards for smaller, or marginal, wells. These make up about four in five US producing wells. The agency will also seek comment on not regulating methane at all, InsideEPA reported.
The numbers behind the plan
The EPA says the change would save $45bn. It also claims the plan would unlock 210mn more barrels of oil and 1.41tn cubic feet of gas. By comparison, the EPA at the time put the cost of the 2024 rules at $18bn.
However, the US move contrasts with Europe. There, lawmakers have only delayed methane rules for importers. Read our report on the EU methane delay.
