Congress Rolls Back Biden’s Methane Fee and Water Heater Regulations

In a decisive move against President Joe Biden’s costly climate agenda, the GOP-led Congress has passed resolutions to repeal two burdensome regulations from the final months of Biden’s administration. The first rule implemented a methane emissions fee on oil and gas facilities, while the second imposed strict energy conservation standards for gas-fired water heaters. Both measures are now headed to President Donald Trump’s desk for approval.

Key Developments:

• Methane Emissions Fee Repealed: On Wednesday, the House voted 220-206 to approve a resolution from Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) that nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) methane emissions fee. The Senate followed suit on Thursday with a 52-47 vote.

• Water Heater Standards Overturned: The House also passed a measure from Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL) with a 221-198 vote, targeting the Department of Energy’s rule on energy conservation for gas-fired instantaneous water heaters.

• Trump Expected to Sign: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has indicated support for both measures, and Trump’s advisers are urging him to sign them into law.

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) didn’t hold back his criticism of the Biden administration’s climate policies. “For four years the Biden administration, aided by Congressional Democrats, waged war on American consumers all in the name of their radical, unfounded climate agenda House Republicans say no more,” Emmer stated.

The methane emissions fee, a hallmark of Biden’s climate strategy, was intended to penalize oil and gas facilities for methane leaks. However, critics argued it only served to increase energy costs, hurt domestic natural gas production, and bolster U.S. reliance on foreign energy. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) underscored this sentiment, saying, “This overreach has driven up energy prices, hurt domestic natural gas production, and increased reliance on foreign energy without delivering any so-called environmental benefit.”

Similarly, the water heater rule mandated stringent energy efficiency standards, effectively limiting consumer choice and driving up costs for American families. Rep. Gary Palmer argued that this regulation was just another example of bureaucratic overreach, adding, “Consumer choice is protected and prices remain affordable.”

The Biden administration and its Democratic allies have argued that these rules were critical steps in addressing the so-called “climate crisis” and reducing energy costs. However, real-world impacts tell a different story, with average household energy costs rising nearly 20% under Biden’s watch, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

President Trump, now in his second term, has already declared a national emergency to bolster domestic energy production and infrastructure. His administration has also established a “National Energy Dominance Council,” aimed at restoring American energy independence and driving down costs for consumers.

House Republicans’ use of the Congressional Review Act to reverse Biden-era policies is a clear signal: under Trump’s leadership, America is prioritizing affordability, energy independence, and consumer choice over radical climate mandates.

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