# Trump administration expected to weaken federal methane rules for oil and gas companies

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/trump-is-making-it-easier-for-fossil-fuel-companies-to-leak-methane/
- Published: 2026-10-27T18:25:13+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-27T18:37:30+00:00
- Original publisher: The Verge
- Original article: https://www.theverge.com/policy/1019691/gas-leak-methane-rule-rollback-trump
- Topics: Climate, Elections, Politics, Science

## Key points

- Trump’s EPA plans to weaken rules targeting methane leaks.
- Marginal wells produce 6% of US oil and gas but cause half of sector emissions.
- The earlier rules were projected to deliver up to $98bn in benefits.

## Summary

The Trump administration is expected to weaken federal rules designed to prevent methane leaks from oil and gas operations, reversing measures introduced under Joe Biden. The change could reduce costs for fossil fuel companies, but it may also increase pollution from a gas that contributes significantly to global warming and can worsen air quality.

The Biden-era rules were projected to cut methane emissions by 80 per cent over 14 years and deliver up to $98 billion in climate and health benefits, after compliance costs. The EPA says the proposed rollback would save companies $45 billion, while the earlier rules were expected to cost $18 billion to implement. The changes are expected to ease standards for marginal wells, which account for half of industry methane emissions despite producing just 6 per cent of US oil and gas, and end a programme that alerts operators to large leaks.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.