Congress scraps EPA methane fee, sets more rule-killing votes

By Nico Portuondo, Kelsey Brugger | 02/28/2025 06:43 AM EST

The House also approved a resolution Thursday against new Department of Energy efficiency standards.

Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) is seen at the Capitol.

North Dakota Republican Sen. John Hoeven was the main Senate sponsor of legislation targeting a fee on methane releases from oil and gas production. Francis Chung/POLITICO

Republicans in both chambers Thursday continued their onslaught against late-stage Biden administration regulations, and new House votes are already set for next week.

The Senate — along party lines — approved a resolution of disapproval against EPA’s rules implementing a methane leak fee on the oil and gas industry from the Democrats’ 2022 climate law. The House approved the measure Wednesday.

Sponsored by Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas) and Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.), the resolution would undo a rule that charges producers $900 per ton of excess methane released.

Advertisement

Republicans argued the rulemaking process boxed out companies. They’re also trying to repeal the fee through the budget reconciliation process.