In a decisive move against Biden-era energy policies, the GOP-led Congress has taken action to dismantle key environmental regulations, signaling a sharp shift in the nation’s energy agenda under President Donald Trump’s leadership. Over the past two days, House Republicans successfully passed resolutions targeting two significant rules from the final months of the Biden administration: one imposing a methane emissions fee on oil and gas facilities and another enforcing stricter energy conservation standards for gas-fired water heaters.
The first resolution, introduced by Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX), seeks to nullify an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that implemented a methane emissions fee—effectively a tax—on natural gas producers.
The measure passed the House on Wednesday by a vote of 220-206, with one member voting “present.” On Thursday, the Senate followed suit, approving the resolution in a 52-47 vote. With strong support from President Trump’s advisers, the measure now awaits his signature, which would officially eliminate the fee.
Rep. Pfluger, who has been a vocal critic of the methane fee, celebrated the resolution’s passage, stating, “I am thrilled that this legislation is now headed to the President’s desk to eliminate this harmful tax once and for all!” Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) echoed this sentiment, calling the methane fee an example of Biden-era “overreach” that has driven up energy prices, stifled domestic production, and increased America’s dependence on foreign energy sources—all while failing to deliver any meaningful environmental benefits.
The second resolution, introduced by Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL), takes aim at the Department of Energy’s rule tightening energy efficiency standards for gas-fired instantaneous water heaters. The House passed Palmer’s measure 221-198, with two members voting “present.”
The White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a statement in support of nullifying the rule, a clear indication that the Trump administration sees it as another example of federal overregulation harming consumers and businesses.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) framed the legislative push as a broader effort to undo what he described as the Biden administration’s “radical, unfounded climate agenda.” He argued that for four years, the previous administration—supported by congressional Democrats—had waged “war on American consumers” by implementing costly environmental regulations under the guise of combating climate change. “House Republicans say no more,” Emmer declared.
Supporters of the methane fee and the stricter energy standards argue that these regulations were necessary steps in addressing climate change and reducing long-term energy costs. However, Republicans counter that such policies disproportionately harm consumers, particularly lower-income households, by driving up costs while offering little in tangible environmental benefits.
President Trump’s energy strategy is already taking shape in the early days of his second term. On his first day back in office, he declared a national emergency to prioritize domestic energy production and infrastructure development. As part of this initiative, he has established a National Energy Dominance Council—a signal that his administration is focused on reversing restrictive climate policies and unleashing America’s vast energy potential.