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The Trump administration is rolling back regulations designed to limit methane emissions from oil and gas operations. Media split in its reporting of how the decision will save consumers money and how it'll negatively impact global warming.

The Details: During a rally in Texas on Tuesday, President Trump announced plans to weaken federal methane regulations from the Biden administration, saying it would reduce costs. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it was preparing to ease requirements for low-producing oil and gas wells and end a program targeting major methane leaks, allowing for more routine flaring of natural gas. The Trump administration has said the existing rules impose excessive energy costs for producers and consumers. The Wall Street Journal (Center bias) reported the EPA estimated the changes could save $45 billion.

For Context: The Biden administration established its methane regulations in 2023, which required oil and gas companies to monitor and address leaks from existing and new facilities. It estimated the regulations would reduce methane emissions by about 80% by 2030, compared with 2005 levels. According to the Journal, studies have shown that the gas wells account for approximately 60% of methane emissions from US natural-gas production and about 40% of those from US oil production.

How the Media Covered It: NBC News (Lean Left) framed the decision as coming ahead of midterms, where "numerous polls show that high fuel costs are a key issue for many voters." It also reported that scientists "consider methane to be about 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide" and is "responsible for roughly one-third of all global warming." Fox Business (Lean Right) quoted Trump saying the rollback will "save consumers and energy producers…$45 billion, while unlocking 210 millions of barrels of oil." In his speech, Trump emphasized the previous policy came from the "crooked" Biden administration. Wall Street Journal said "large oil and gas producers have supported federal methane regulations…because they want to keep selling their product to climate-minded buyers abroad."

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