A prominent donor to Donald Trump, who was recently fined for pollution, is spearheading an effort to abolish methane emission penalties. This initiative is part of a broader strategy by the American Petroleum and Gas Producers (AXPC), which includes 30 oil and gas producers, to influence regulations under a potential second Trump administration.

Lobbying Efforts:
AXPC has crafted detailed plans to eliminate the $900 per metric ton fee on methane emissions introduced under the Inflation Reduction Act. These plans include drafting a Republican reconciliation bill and pursuing legal avenues to contest EPA regulations.

Industry Influence:
The AXPC board, led by Jeff Hildebrand, the founder of Hilcorp, has been a significant contributor to Trump’s campaign. Hildebrand and his wife Melinda have organized numerous fundraisers for Trump.

Climate Concerns:
Scientists are increasingly worried about the rapid increase in methane emissions, which are escalating at an alarming pace and threatening sustainable climate goals.

Legal Contests:
AXPC member companies have joined legal efforts to contest EPA methane regulations. The leaked documents show that the amount of gas flared by AXPC member companies rose significantly from 2021 to 2023.

Political Influence:
Climate advocates argue that this initiative illustrates the significant sway the oil industry will hold over Trump, particularly after he solicited $1 billion in campaign contributions from oil executives during a dinner at his Mar-a-Lago estate in April.

Reversal of Climate Measures:
The leaked documents reveal a detailed plan to reverse climate measures established during Joe Biden’s administration. Trump has previously dismissed the climate crisis as a "hoax" and criticized significant climate bills signed by Biden.


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