Trump Announces Rollback of Biden-Era Methane Rules at Texas Rally

Status: Proposed rule; not final. President Trump said he was "officially terminating" the rules. In fact, EPA has proposed a rewrite, and the 2024 rules stay in place until a final rule is issued.

The announcement

At a rally in Lubbock, Texas, on Oct. 27, Trump announced an EPA proposal to rewrite the Biden administration's 2024 methane rules for oil and gas. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced it with him (EPA; AP).

"Tonight, I am officially terminating Biden's expensive and unnecessary methane regulations to save consumers and energy producers $45 billion in costs," Trump said (Rapid Response 47).

What the proposal would change

According to EPA, the proposal would:

• End the "super emitter" program, which certified outside monitors to flag large leaks.
• Bring back flaring: 95%-efficient flaring would again be an accepted standard for associated gas, instead of requiring that the gas go to a sales line.
• Treat marginal wells separately: low-producing "marginal" wells would get their own rules. EPA says they make up about 4 in 5 producing wells.

EPA's projections

• Savings: EPA projects $45 billion.
• More oil: about 210 million more barrels, according to EPA. AP notes that is about 10 days of U.S. petroleum use.
• More gas: 1.41 trillion cubic feet, according to EPA.

Background

The proposal continues a review Zeldin began in March 2025. That review had already pushed back compliance deadlines (EPA; AP).

Why it matters for Americans

The administration says the change will cut costs for energy producers and consumers and raise domestic oil and gas output. Because this is a proposal, it can still change before it becomes final. Responses from critics of the rollback were not in the sources.