Tuberville Proposes Repeal of EPA Methane Program
TL/DR –
U.S. Senators Tommy Tuberville and John Hoeven have introduced a resolution against the Methane Emissions Reduction Program, which includes a methane waste emissions charge on certain oil and gas production facilities and is part of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. Tuberville argues that the emissions charge would increase U.S. dependence on foreign nations for energy and cause higher energy costs for consumers. The resolution of disapproval is backed by other Republican Senators and if it passes both the House and the Senate, it is expected that President Donald Trump would sign it, thus prohibiting the Methane Tax Rule from going into effect.
US Senators Propose Resolution against Methane Emissions Reduction Program
On February 4, US Senators Tommy Tuberville and John Hoeven introduced a resolution under the Congressional Review Act against the Methane Emissions Reduction Program implemented in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
The IRA amended the Clean Air Act to create the Methane Emissions Reduction Program. The amendment directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to collect a “methane tax rule” on methane waste emissions from specific oil and gas production facilities.
A recent study revealed that the oil and natural gas industry releases about three times more methane than EPA estimates. Methane leaks occur throughout the production system, including during drilling and transport.
The Methane Emissions Reduction Program’s fees apply to facilities exceeding 25,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions. These emissions intensify the natural greenhouse effect, causing global temperatures to rise.
In 2024, the waste emissions charge was $900 per metric ton of CO2 emitted, with planned increases in the following years.
Tuberville argues that the emissions charge would increase US dependence on foreign energy and result in higher consumer costs. Meanwhile, Alabama’s energy production in 2022 was responsible for 109.3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
About 60% of Alabama’s natural gas production comes from onshore wells, predominantly in the form of coalbed methane. Most natural gas consumed in Alabama is used for electricity generation, accounting for 62% of total natural gas deliveries in 2023.
Despite being among the top 17 oil producers and the top 16 natural gas producers in the US, Alabama’s natural gas production has steadily declined since 2005. The state’s oil and gas industry contributed $1.71 billion to Alabama’s GDP in 2023.
In 2022, Alabamians spent just over $11 million on gasoline, averaging $2,200 per person.
Supported by other Republican senators, Tuberville and Hoeven’s resolution seeks to overturn the methane tax. The energy and natural resource sector donated nearly $16.5 million to all senators who signed the resolution.
Under the Congressional Review Act, a simple majority in the House and Senate is needed for the resolution to reach the president. If passed and signed by President Trump, the Methane Tax Rule would be prohibited from going into effect.
Former EPA administrator Michael Regan previously stated that the EPA worked to reduce methane emissions to prevent it from becoming a greenhouse gas. The current EPA leader Lee Zeldin has also expressed concern for foreign energy dependency.
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