# Trump’s EPA is letting America’s leakiest oil and gas companies off the hook

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/trumps-epa-is-letting-americas-leakiest-oil-and-gas-companies-off-the-hook/
- Published: 2026-10-28T02:07:17+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-03T23:41:56+00:00
- Original publisher: Grist (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://grist.org/regulation/epa-methane-trump-rollback-stripper-wells/
- Topics: Americas, Climate, Elections, Environment, Government, Politics, Science, World

## Key points

- The EPA has proposed loosening federal methane rules for oil and gas companies.
- Trump says the change would save $45 billion and boost energy production.
- The existing rule was projected to prevent major emissions and gas waste.

## Summary

The EPA has proposed weakening Biden-era rules that required oil and gas companies to monitor and reduce methane leaks. President Donald Trump announced the change at a campaign rally, saying it would cut costs for energy producers and consumers, while environmental groups warn that weaker controls could worsen climate change and pollution near oil and gas sites.

The 2023 rule required companies to inspect wells and pipelines, monitor emissions, improve equipment and reduce routine flaring. The EPA estimated it would prevent 58 million tonnes of methane emissions over 15 years and stop 400 billion cubic feet of natural gas being wasted each year, enough to heat nearly 8 million US homes in winter. Methane accounts for about 12 per cent of US greenhouse gas emissions and is roughly 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide over 20 years.

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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.