Trump's Methane Rollback That Big Oil Doesn't Want

Despite opposition from the oil and gas industry it aims to help, the Trump administration later Thursday is expected to roll back an Obama-era rule designed to reduce climate-warming methane emissions.

Methane is the main ingredient in natural gas. But when it's released before it burns, say from a leaky valve at a drilling site, it's far more potent than carbon dioxide. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the oil and gas industry is the largest source of methane emissions in the United States.

The Trump administration rule would eliminate a 2016 requirement that oil and gas companies monitor and limit methane leaks from wells, compressor stations and other operations.

In announcing the proposed regulation last year, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler said it delivered on President Trump's 2017 executive order to promote energy independence and economic growth. He said the rule "removes unnecessary and duplicative regulatory burdens from the oil and gas industry."

At that time, the administration estimated the rollback would save the industry up to $19 million a year in compliance costs.