President Trump said on Tuesday that his administration is "terminating" a Biden-era rule meant to cut methane leaks from oil and gas drilling. The Associated Press, CNBC, Euronews and The Guardian report he made the remarks at a rally in Lubbock, Texas.

"I'm officially terminating Biden's expensive and unnecessary methane regulations to save consumers and energy producers $45 billion in costs," Trump said. He said the change would free up 210 million barrels of oil. The AP notes that equals about 10 days of US oil use.

Methane is the main part of natural gas and traps far more heat than carbon dioxide in the short term. It leaks from drilling equipment or is burned off as waste. The AP reports oil and gas operations are the largest industrial source.

The Environmental Protection Agency plans to scrap its "Super Emitter Program," which makes companies investigate and fix major leaks found by outside monitors. It would also set looser rules for small wells. CNBC reports the plan still has to go through public comment before it is final.

EPA chief Lee Zeldin said "when owners and operators can produce, America benefits with lower prices." But CNBC reports the EPA's own modeling shows crude prices would fall by only 11 cents a barrel in 2027. The EPA projects an extra 60 million short tons of methane emissions from 2027 through 2050.

Environmental groups object. Fred Krupp of the Environmental Defense Fund said it gives a "free pass" to companies. The Clean Air Task Force called the proposal unlawful, The Guardian reports.

The Biden rule, finalized in 2024, was the first to cover existing wells nationwide. The move comes as Trump faces pressure over high fuel prices linked to the war with Iran.

What we know: Trump says he is ending the Biden methane rule, and the EPA has proposed looser limits.
What we don't: Whether the proposal will be finalized after public comment, and whether courts will block it.