The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s EPA has made a proposal to ease regulations on methane emissions created during the Obama administration to previous levels. Regulations require the gas and oil industry to take technical measures to monitor and limit gas leaks in facilities such as oil fields, tanks and pipelines, but the current Trump regime is to eliminate methane leakage measures at those facilities. It argues that methane does not become a serious air pollution, and is urged to get rid of this obligation and fund new energy development.
Even without serious air pollution, methane emission is a big problem in the face of warming and climate change. According to foreign media reports, methane emissions from the oil and gas industry in the United States currently amount to more than 69 million cars.
In other words, if the regulations are removed, there is a possibility that methane emissions equivalent to a quarter of vehicles registered in the United States will increase in the United States. It is expected that environmental groups and others will have a big backlash. Still, May-July this year was recorded as the hottest May-July in history. In addition, only major gas and oil companies such as Exxon Mobil and Shell are raising their voices against deregulation. The Trump administration is trying to support the coal industry by calling it an inexpensive clean energy policy or obsessed with destroying the achievements achieved during the Obama days.
The US auto industry is opposed to plans by the government to weaken emissions standards. Some even have agreements that adhere to stricter guidelines. Similarly, there is no possibility that the gas and oil industry will be able to focus on regulatory compliance so far by prioritizing the image to be seen to consumers rather than deregulation. Related information can be found here .