Congress·Enacted·H.J.Res. 35

Trump Signs Resolution Killing EPA Methane Fee Rules for Oil and Gas Companies

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems: Procedures for Facilitating Compliance, Including Netting and Exemptions".

about 1 year ago·View on Congress.gov

✓

Signed Into Law

This legislation has been enacted.

↔Companion bill: Senators Move to Overturn EPA Rule Charging Oil and Gas Companies for Methane Waste

Legislative Progress

✓ House

220–206

✓ Senate

✓ President

✓ Law

Key Points

Congress is moving to cancel a rule from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that would have charged oil and gas companies for leaking methane. Methane is a powerful gas that can trap heat in the atmosphere and often leaks from energy equipment like wells and pipelines.
From policy text
“Congress disapproves the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to ``Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems: Procedures for Facilitating Compliance, Including Netting and Exemptions''”
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The rule being blocked was meant to explain exactly how companies should measure their gas leaks and how much they would have to pay in fees. It also included rules for how companies could get credit for reducing leaks in some areas to balance out higher emissions in others.
From policy text
“Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems: Procedures for Facilitating Compliance, Including Netting and Exemptions”
View in full text
By passing this resolution, Congress is making the EPA's specific plan for collecting these fees invalid. This means the government cannot use this specific set of rules to charge energy companies for their methane waste or enforce the related reporting requirements.
From policy text
“and such rule shall have no force or effect.”
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This action is part of a larger debate over energy prices and the environment. People who support blocking the rule often argue that these fees make gasoline and home heating more expensive, while those who want the rule kept say it is necessary to stop pollution and hold companies accountable for waste.

Energy EnvironmentEconomy Finance

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

State Impacts

StateScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

5 milestones19 actions

Mar 14, 2025

Became Public Law No: 119-2.

Mar 14, 2025

Signed by President.

Mar 4, 2025House

Presented to President.

Feb 27, 2025Senate

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

Feb 27, 2025Senate

Received in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 52 - 47. Record Vote Number: 97. (consideration: CR S1419)

Vote Results

2 votes

HousePassedPassageFeb 26, 2025

On Passage

220

206

Democrat

6 – 205 · 4

Republican

214 – 1 · 3

View full roll call

SenatePassedFeb 27, 2025

On the Joint Resolution

Democrat

0 – 45

Republican

52 – 0 · 1

Independent

0 – 2

View full roll call

Related News

1 article

Washington Times·about 1 year ago

Senate advances repeal of methane fees, sending first Joe Biden rollback to Donald Trump's desk

The Senate cleared legislation Thursday that would repeal a Biden administration regulation charging oil and gas producers a fee on methane emission leaks. Republicans argue the fee causes cost rises on producers that are passed onto consumers in the form of inflation.

CR+

Related Bills

2 bills

S.J.Res. 12Identical bill

A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems: Procedures for Facilitating Compliance, Including Netting and Exemptions".

Feb 27 — Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent.

H.Res. 161Related bill

Providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 20) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Energy relating to "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Gas-fired Instantaneous Water Heaters"; providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 35) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems: Procedures for Facilitating Compliance, Including Netting and Exemptions"; and providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034.

Feb 25 — Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.