Trump rolls back methane rule to aid Ken Paxton and oil producers

Trump Unveils Methane Rule Rollback in West Texas as Senate Race Tightens

President Donald Trump touched down in West Texas to rally support for Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, using the stage to roll back a key environmental regulation that Paxton had fiercely opposed. The visit comes as Paxton faces a razor-thin Senate battle against Democratic state Rep. James Talarico, shifting the political spotlight directly onto the state’s massive oil and gas sector.

At Tuesday’s rally, Trump announced a new draft rule from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency designed to ease requirements for oil and gas companies to limit methane leaks. Paxton notably led the legal charge against the original framework, becoming the first to sue over the regulation back in 2024.

Watch! US President Donald Trump announces move to end Biden-era methane rules at Texas rally

“Under crooked Joe Biden, Democrats crushed small oil and gas operators… with crippling regulations and methane that cause prices to skyrocket,” Trump told the crowd. He framed the policy reversal as a direct relief measure for both consumers and producers.

“Tonight, I’m officially terminating Biden’s expensive and unnecessary methane regulations to save consumers and energy producers $45 billion dollars in costs, unlock vast quantities of Texas natural gas and produce 210 million barrels of oil,” Trump said, adding that the move would help bring down the cost of energy.

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The Political Landscape in Texas

The timing of the regulatory rollback intersects directly with a competitive political map in Texas. The current Senate race between Paxton and Talarico has tightened significantly, drawing high-profile national figures into the region to energize the base.

By targeting federal energy policy during a West Texas campaign stop, the administration directly addressed an industry that serves as the economic backbone for much of the region. It is unclear if the promise of unlocked natural gas and billions in regulatory savings will sway voters as the election approaches.