EPA Proposes Weaker Methane Rules For Oil, Gas Wells

The Trump administration on Sept. 11 proposed weakening requirements for testing and repairing methane leaks in drilling operations, among other measures, in a step toward rolling back an Obama-era policy to combat climate change.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said the changes will save the industry $75 million a year in regulatory costs between 2019 and 2025 while increasing methane emissions.

The proposal is the latest move by the Trump administration to roll back environmental rules put in place by former President Barack Obama.