From Mother Jones · Rachel Santarsiero · · 1m 20s
EPA Rollback Threatens Methane Rules
EPA plans to weaken methane regulations for oil and gas companies, risking higher emissions.
In brief
EPA plans to weaken methane regulations for oil and gas companies, risking higher emissions. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is rolling back Biden-era methane rules to allow more leaks and flaring, potentially raising U.S. methane emissions. Originally reported by Mother Jones.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin addressed oil and gas executives at New Mexico Oil and Gas Association’s annual meeting in Santa Fe.
Draft Reconsideration of Methane Rule
The EPA is within days of releasing a draft reconsideration of a major Biden-era oil and gas methane rule.
Weakened Regulations
The new proposal would weaken regulations on oil and gas operators to allow additional leaking, venting, and flaring.
Methane Emissions Impact
Methane has 80 times more heat-trapping potential than carbon dioxide over a 20-year life span.
EPA Claims $45 Billion Savings
Zeldin said the new EPA measure would save taxpayers $45 billion.
Industry Coordination
Fieldnotes reported coordinated industry strategy to avoid regulatory accountability through communications and records.
Quad O Rule
The Biden administration proposed key revisions to methane rules, including a rule targeting leaking, venting, and flaring.
Hamm's Influence
Fracking billionaire Harold Hamm has helped push for EPA to deregulate methane from oil and gas operations.
EPA's Next Steps
The EPA will publish the reconsideration within days, potentially deregulating methane emissions entirely.
The takeaway
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is rolling back Biden-era methane rules to allow more leaks and flaring, potentially raising U.S. methane emissions.
