US EPA delays methane restrictions for oil and gas

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🗞️ Driving the news: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has delayed enforcement of new methane restrictions targeting emissions from oil and gas drilling
• The interim final rule, released this week under the Trump administration, grants companies an 18-month reprieve before they must comply with pollution control requirements
• The EPA is also reviewing whether to revoke the regulation entirely, citing “unworkable” provisions

🔭 The context: The original rule, enacted under the Biden administration, aimed to curb methane — a potent greenhouse gas — and toxic air pollutants from fossil fuel operations
• It formed a key part of the U.S. strategy to meet climate commitments under the Global Methane Pledge
• The current delay signals a broader deregulatory agenda by the Trump administration, which has placed the methane rule on a list of Biden-era policies under threat of repeal

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Methane is over 80 times more powerful than CO₂ over a 20-year timeframe, making rapid reductions vital for near-term climate goals
• Delaying controls risks increased emissions from one of the most climate-damaging sectors
• It may also weaken U.S. credibility in international climate forums and hinder progress toward global methane reduction targets

⏭️ What's next: Legal and political challenges are expected, as environmental groups and states may sue to restore the rule
• Industry lobbying will intensify as the EPA reviews the regulation for potential rollback
• A final decision on whether to retain or reverse the rule could come within the next year, influencing federal climate policy and enforcement strategies

💬 One quote: “Delaying implementation will simply give a handout to the worst actors who would be able to continue their polluting ways with zero consequences or accountability to neighboring communities.” – Mahyar Sorour, Sierra Club

📈 One stat: The oil and gas sector accounts for nearly 30% of U.S. methane emissions, according to the EPA

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