# Trump Plans to Loosen Methane Rules

President Donald Trump announced plans to loosen federal methane requirements for oil and gas operations. The EPA is expected to propose changes affecting marginal wells, flaring, leak-response requirements, emissions monitoring, and vent-system standards; the administration estimates the changes could save industry $45 billion. The announcement is not a finalized rule, so contractors providing emissions monitoring, methane mitigation, and regulatory-compliance services should distinguish the proposed direction from current requirements while assessing how a rule change could affect future demand and procurement needs.

- EPA rulemaking could change the scope of services operators need for emissions monitoring, leak response, and methane mitigation; contractors should evaluate how their offerings map to the areas identified for potential revision.
- The projected $45 billion in industry savings is the administration’s estimate, not a contract value or confirmed savings. Oil and gas operators and their service providers should account for the proposal’s not-yet-final status in planning.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Energy & Utilities
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** October 28, 2026

### Government Entities
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

### Sources
- [Trump plans to loosen oil and gas methane rules](https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/6176058-trump-texas-rally-methane-regulations-loosened) - The Hill