Environmental (Commonwealth Union)_ As Donald Trump resumes his commitment to unshackle the oil and gas industry from climate regulations, he’s again positioning the U.S. to expand fossil fuel production, promising to make the nation the world’s leader in oil. This shift could impact significant climate policies implemented under the Biden administration, with industry leaders and climate advocates on high alert over possible reversals in regulatory standards.
Trump’s allies in Texas, one of the nation’s top oil producers, welcome his pledge. Republicans and industry leaders in Texas anticipate a rollback of several federal environmental rules, many established through executive orders during Biden’s term. Adrian Shelley, Texas director of the advocacy group Public Citizen, foresees a rapid move to dismantle federal safeguards on pollution and emissions. “The Trump administration will move quickly to rescind as many rules as possible,” Shelley said, highlighting the potential for “regulatory whiplash.”
A particular focus will be on methane emission rules introduced under Biden. These regulations, crafted with industry input, aim to reduce methane—a potent greenhouse gas—from oil and gas operations by requiring operators to identify and repair leaks and discourage gas flaring. Introduced through the Inflation Reduction Act, the Wasteful Emissions Charge additionally penalizes methane emissions above the federal limit, rising from $900 per metric ton to $1,500 by 2026. However, smaller operators have expressed concerns that these rules create costly reporting challenges, with Ben Sheppard of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association calling them a “major economic impediment.”
Reversing these methane regulations could take years, involving public input and federal reviews. But industry leaders believe the Trump administration will expedite a rollback on restrictions they argue disproportionately affect smaller companies.
In January, Biden paused liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to update regulations, citing environmental concerns. This decision drew praise from Gulf Coast environmentalists who highlighted the health risks associated with LNG plants. Industry leaders, however, argue that the freeze undermines U.S. energy security and hope the Trump administration will swiftly lift it to restore full LNG exports.
Trump’s anticipated policy includes reforming environmental permitting and streamlining procedures to shorten approval timelines for new energy projects. By setting time limits on reviews and limiting legal challenges, energy advocates aim to accelerate fossil fuel projects and reform elements of the Clean Water Act that they believe hamper development.
The anticipated policy shifts reflect Trump’s campaign promise to put fossil fuel production first, signaling potential expansions in oil, gas, and LNG operations. As a new chapter in U.S. energy policy begins, climate advocates brace for further battles to retain hard-won environmental protections.
