Republicans push to eliminate EPA’s methane pollution fee

House and Senate Republicans introduced legislation to repeal a federal methane fee designed to curb excessive emissions from oil and gas operations, a move experts say would harm public health and U.S. energy competitiveness.

Phil McKenna reports for Inside Climate News.

In short:

• The EPA’s methane fee, part of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, targets major methane emitters and aims to reduce emissions by nearly 80%.
• Republican lawmakers want to repeal the fee through the Congressional Review Act, preventing future administrations from implementing a similar rule.
• Industry groups argue the fee is a “punitive tax,” but experts say it boosts investment, job growth and compliance with international methane standards.

Key quote:

“This is the definition of self-destructive. We have a carefully negotiated set of standards, plus a backstop fee legislated by Congress that strong-foots American LNG exporters.”

— Rick Duke, former U.S. deputy special envoy for climate

Why this matters:

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, second only to carbon dioxide in driving climate change. Rolling back the fee could increase pollution, worsening respiratory illnesses and other health risks, especially in communities near oil and gas operations. It could also weaken U.S. leadership in clean energy and international trade.

Related: The Supreme Court allows new EPA regulations on mercury and methane emissions to proceed