US regulations on methane pollution are being rolled back by the Trump administration, despite evidence they have reduced oil field leaks in Colorado. Energy firms have repaired around 73,000 methane leaks since 2015 under a state-required inspection scheme, according to the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division. A recent report suggests this has led to a 52% drop in leaks from over 36,000 in 2015 to about 17,250 two years later. The EPA is also investigating whether fracking causes earthquakes.
US regulations on methane pollution are being rolled back by the Trump administration, despite evidence they have reduced oil field leaks in Colorado. Energy firms have repaired around 73,000 methane leaks since 2015 under a state-required inspection scheme, according to the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division. A recent report suggests this has led to a 52% drop in leaks from over 36,000 in 2015 to about 17,250 two years later. However, the Trump administration claims federal rules introduced during the Obama administration are expensive and burdensome.