EPA Moves Closer to Rolling Back Obama-Era Rules on Methane

The Trump administration is moving to roll back Obama-era rules intended to reduce leaks of climate-changing methane from oil and gas facilities.

EPA flag in front of headquarters. The Environmental Protection Agency was established in 1970. Born in the wake of elevated concern about environmental pollution, EPA was established on December 2, 1970 to consolidate in one agency a variety of federal research, monitoring, standard-setting and enforcement activities to ensure environmental protection. (USEPA)
EPA flag in front of headquarters. The Environmental Protection Agency was established in 1970. Born in the wake of elevated concern about environmental pollution, EPA was established on December 2, 1970 to consolidate in one agency a variety of federal research, monitoring, standard-setting and enforcement activities to ensure environmental protection. (USEPA)

The Trump administration is moving to roll back Obama-era rules intended to reduce leaks of climate-changing methane from oil and gas facilities.

The Environmental Protection Agency released a proposed substitute rule Tuesday. It's part of an ongoing effort by the Trump administration to ease 2016 rules for finding and stopping methane leaks from oil and gas sites. Methane is one of the most potent agents of climate change.

The EPA acknowledges the rollback would lead to more methane leaking into the atmosphere. The agency says relaxing oversight will save $75 million in regulatory costs annually.

The rollback has been hung up in court challenges since the Trump administration announced its plans last year.

Tuesday's action opens a period for public comment, ahead of any final administration decision on the change.

(Source: The Associated Press)

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