Story perspectives
Trump Administration Rolls Back Methane Rule, Extends Flare Time
4/7/2026
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Story summary
- The Trump administration initiated a rollback of a Biden-era methane emissions rule on April 6, 2026.
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) extended flare time from 24 to 72 hours.
- The administration says the change saves $208 million annually, but it did not assess climate impacts.
- Environmental advocates view the move as the start of broader methane rollbacks.
- EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin criticized previous regulations as overly restrictive.
