Sponsors (18)
The bill reduces federal spending and regulatory burdens for industry but does so by eliminating methane and Clean Air Act–related funding and programs, shifting environmental, health, and cleanup costs and risks onto states, local communities, and ratepayers.
Taxpayers see immediate federal spending reductions (elimination/rescission of ~$1.55 billion) and a potential avoidance of future appropriations if Congress doesn't reauthorize these programs.
Energy producers and utilities face fewer regulatory requirements and avoid potential waste-emissions charges, lowering compliance costs for producers and operators.
EPA will have fewer unobligated/unspent funds on its books, simplifying budget accounting and (in principle) making it easier for Congress to reallocate or manage those funds.
Residents living near oil and gas operations lose funding and programs that would reduce methane leaks, worsening local air quality and increasing health risks.
Eliminating the federal methane reduction program reduces federal capacity to cut methane emissions, undermining efforts to limit greenhouse gases and climate impacts.
Rescinding unobligated EPA funds could cancel or delay planned Clean Air Act-funded projects and technical assistance, weakening state and local air-quality initiatives and capacity-building.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Repeals the EPA methane incentive program in 42 U.S.C. § 7436 and rescinds any unobligated balances previously made available under that section.
Official title: Amend the Clean Air Act to repeal the natural gas tax.
Introduced January 16, 2025 by Rafael Edward Cruz · Last progress January 16, 2025
Repeals the EPA’s Methane Emissions and Waste Reduction Incentive Program for petroleum and natural gas systems by removing the statutory authority in 42 U.S.C. § 7436 and eliminating the program’s prior funding authorizations. It also rescinds any unobligated balances that remain from amounts previously made available under that Clean Air Act section, with the repeal and rescission taking effect on enactment.