Fedorchak welcomes EPA Proposal to roll back burdensome methane rule, strengthen North Dakota energy production

October 30, 2026 Press Release Fargo, ND — Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) welcomed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal to revise the Biden administration’s oil and natural gas methane regulations, restoring flexibility for producers and addressing mandates that threatened to shut down wells and discourage new development. EPA estimates the proposed revisions would save consumers and businesses $45 billion and enable production of an additional 210 million barrels of oil and 1.41 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. “North Dakota producers know how to develop our resources responsibly. They’ve invested in capturing more natural gas and reducing flaring while producing the energy our country needs,” Fedorchak said. “Federal rulesand regulations should support that progress. The Biden administration instead imposed unworkable mandates that threatened to shut down productive wells, eliminate jobs, and raise costs for families. I appreciate Administrator Zeldin listening to our concerns and proposing a more practical approach. Affordable energy starts with giving American producers the ability to produce.” North Dakota’s congressional delegation urged EPA to withdraw the rule in 2023, warning that its requirements would undermine domestic production and undermine North Dakota’s successful approach to gas capture. Under the North Dakota Industrial Commission’s framework, operators achieved a 95% gas capture rate while natural gas production reached record levels. In 2024, the Biden EPA finalized one-size-fits-all, burdensome regulations that were estimated at the time to cost $18 billion. However, the Biden EPA underestimated the costs and refused to acknowledge their regulations would force many wells to close and stop new wells from opening. Overall, the Biden administration’s rule threatened domestic production and drove up the cost of living for Americans—from heating bills to prices at the grocery store and the pump. “Behind every barrel of oil and every cubic foot of natural gas produced in the U.S. are millions of workers, businesses, and the heartbeat of this nation’s economy. The Biden EPA destructively targeted all this. President Trump promised to end the war on oil and natural gas, and I vowed to do my part, while protecting our environment,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “We have listened to Americans’ concerns and are taking our biggest step yet to fix it. When owners and operators can produce, America benefits with lower prices. That is common sense, and it’s what we’re delivering with this proposal.” Following publication in the Federal Register, EPA will hold a public comment period of at least 45 days, along with a public hearing. Issues : Energy and Environment