Texas Alliance, IPAA applaud Congressional action eliminating methane tax rule
The Texas Alliance of Energy Producers and the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) have both released statements applauding energy leaders in the U.S. House and Senate in eliminating a costly and harmful EPA rule put into place late last year.
A day after the U.S. House of Representatives did so, the U.S. Senate yesterday passed H.J. Res. 35, the Congressional Review Act measure, “disapproving” the Biden EPA’s methane tax rule adopted in November 2024. Texas Rep. August Pfluger (R-Midland) and Sen. John Hoeven of (R-North Dakota) authored and introduced the resolution, which now goes to President Trump for signature.
Both the Alliance and the IPAA firmly opposed to the methane fee, stating it would jeopardize independent oil and gas companies, raise costs to consumers and reduce U.S. domestic oil and gas production, while also increasing American reliance on foreign energy sources.
“We appreciate Rep. Pfluger and Sen. Hoeven for leading the fight to overturn this rule, which was put in place for the purpose of imposing the tax on Texas and American petroleum energy,” said Alliance President Karr Ingham. “The methane tax clearly singled out the U.S. domestic oil and gas industry for punishment – and Texas as the largest producing state – as other large methane emitting sectors were left untouched.”
“There is still work to be done, however,” said Ingham. “The statute that created the tax in the first place must be repealed, and we strongly support the efforts of Congressman Pfluger and Senator Ted Cruz, who have introduced legislation to do just that.”
“The Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) applauds Sen. John Hoeven for his leadership in overturning the EPA’s Waste Emissions Charge (Methane Tax) regulations,” added IPAA President and CEO Jeff Eshelman. “IPAA has always opposed the methane tax and believe it is simply a tax designed to hamper American oil and gas production. With the passage of H.J.Res.35 in both the House and Senate, IPAA urges quick action by President Trump to sign this resolution and will work with his Administration to eliminate this unnecessary tax on American oil and natural gas producers as soon as possible.”
Other Texans co-sponsoring the resolution in the House include Reps. Jodey Arrington (R-Lubbock), Dan Crenshaw (R-Houston), and Randy Weber (R-Friendswood).
