Trump's EPA Rolls Back Methane Rules for Low-Producing Oil Wells

The Trump administration is planning to loosen regulations on oil and gas wells that produce very little energy but release vast amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to weaken requirements for leak inspections and equipment upgrades at more than 700,000 low-producing 'stripper wells.' These wells account for just 6% of the country's oil and natural gas production but are responsible for roughly half the sector's methane pollution.

The EPA argues that complying with existing regulations would be too costly for these wells and could lead to their closure. However, environmental advocates claim that deregulating stripper wells will increase climate pollution while doing little to boost energy output.

At stake is a rollback of rules aimed at reducing methane emissions from the oil industry by 80%. The proposal would also eliminate an EPA program tracking 'super-emitter' events, enormous methane releases that have plagued the oil industry. If implemented, it's estimated to save companies $42 billion through 2050.

A campaign led by the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) and backed by oil billionaire Jeffery Hildebrand has driven this deregulation effort. Hildebrand's company, Hilcorp, has a history of buying up old stripper wells, which were previously threatened by stricter methane regulations introduced in 2024.