Trump says government to ‘terminate’ Biden-era methane emissions rules
Critics warn of climate danger as president in Texas claims change will save companies and consumers billionsDonald Trump announced his administration is “terminating” Biden-era regulations holding oil and gas companies accountable for large leaks of planet-warming methane during
The decision to terminate the Biden-era methane emissions rules is a concerning move, given the critical role methane plays in driving climate change. As a potent greenhouse gas, methane has a global warming potential 28 times higher than carbon dioxide over a 100-year time frame. Reducing methane emissions is essential to slowing down global warming, and the rules in question were designed to hold oil and gas companies accountable for large leaks.
The oil and gas industry is one of the largest sources of methane emissions, and effective regulations are necessary to prevent waste and minimize environmental harm. By terminating these rules, the Trump administration may save companies billions of dollars in compliance costs, but at a significant environmental cost. The American Petroleum Institute, a major industry trade group, has already expressed support for the move, citing the potential economic benefits. However, critics argue that this decision will undermine efforts to address the climate crisis and protect public health.
As the climate crisis continues to intensify, all eyes will be on how this decision affects methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. To watch next: the potential legal challenges and Congressional pushback against the Trump administration's move, as well as the impact on industry practices and emissions trends. Additionally, it remains to be seen whether states or other countries will step up to fill the regulatory gap left by the federal government's rollback of methane emissions rules.
Originally reported by theguardian.com. ClimateNews adds analysis for climate & energy readers.