President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that his administration is ending a Biden-era regulation intended to reduce methane emissions from oil and gas drilling. The move puts another major energy rule from the previous administration on the chopping block.
Trump revealed [1] the decision during a campaign rally in Lubbock, Texas, supporting Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ken Paxton. He presented the rollback as a victory for energy producers and consumers burdened by the regulation’s costs.
The president said ending the rule would save consumers and energy producers $45 billion. He also said the rollback would unlock 210 million barrels of oil and vast quantities of natural gas in Texas.
“Tonight, I’m officially terminating Biden’s expensive and unnecessary methane regulations to save consumers and energy producers $45 billion in costs, unlock vast quantities of Texas natural gas, and produce 210 million barrels of oil,” Trump said.
The announcement capped an extended effort by the administration to eliminate the methane regulation. Trump told the crowd that the change had not come together overnight.
“We’ve been working on this for a long time,” Trump added.
BREAKING: In a blockbuster move, President Trump hereby TERMINATES Biden’s methane regulations to save $45 BILLION DOLLARS for US consumers and producers, and produce 210 MILLION barrels of oil
“We’ve been working on this a long time!”
HUGE!!!
“I’m officially terminating Biden’s expensive and unnecessary methane regulations to save consumers and energy producers $45 billion in costs, unlock vast quantities of Texas natural gas and produce 210 million barrels of oil.”
This is SEISMIC.
Biden’s green scammers used the EPA to choke off Texas oil and gas producers with methane red tape
Trump just ripped it to shreds.
DRILL, BABY, DRILL!
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 28, 2026 [2]
The rollback arrives as Trump presses for increased domestic energy production. That push is unfolding while Americans face high fuel prices and the United States is at war with Iran.
Trump used the Texas rally to link his energy agenda with the financial concerns facing producers and consumers. His remarks focused on the projected cost savings and the additional oil and natural gas that he said would become available.
Methane is the main component of natural gas, but it is also a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. According to The Associated Press, oil and gas operations represent the largest industrial source of methane emissions.
The Environmental Protection Agency had already signaled that changes to federal methane policy were coming. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said last month that the agency would end its “Super Emitter Program.”
That program requires companies to locate and repair major methane leaks. The EPA also planned to loosen rules covering smaller oil and gas wells, according to the outlet.
Zeldin framed those changes as part of the administration’s broader effort to expand American energy production. His comments made clear that the EPA views the existing regulatory structure as an obstacle needing repair.
“The Trump EPA is committed to fixing this so the U.S. can reach its full energy potential,” Zeldin said at the time.
Trump’s announcement moved that agenda directly into the political spotlight at the Lubbock rally. With Paxton running as the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, the president highlighted an energy policy aimed squarely at Texas producers and consumers.
Environmental groups, however, have criticized the rollback. They argue that eliminating or loosening the methane requirements would lead to increased pollution from oil and gas operations.
Environmental Defense Fund President Fred Krupp objected to the EPA’s direction and argued that the agency should instead be combating waste. “EPA should be fighting this waste, not making it easier,” Krupp said.
The dispute places two sharply different approaches to methane regulation in clear view. Trump and Zeldin are emphasizing production, regulatory relief and energy potential, while environmental organizations are warning about pollution and waste.
For Trump, the central message in Texas was straightforward: The Biden era methane rule is ending, and his administration expects major economic and energy benefits from the decision. The president put the projected gains at $45 billion in savings and 210 million barrels of oil.