Republicans in the Chamber of Deputies for Climate Oppose Trump's Suppression of Obama's Methane Control

Republican leaders who support federal policies to fight climate change say they are opposed to the Trump administration's decision Thursday to eliminate direct federal regulation of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

"I am very concerned about this decision from the EPA," said Florida Representative Francis Rooney at Examiner from Washington.

Rooney is the chairman of Climate Solutions' bipartite caucus and the main Republican party in Congress for a carbon tax.

The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a rule to reverse the rules imposed by the Obama administration in 2016 and requiring oil and gas companies to install technologies for inspection and repair of wells, pipelines and storage facilities generating methane leaks. Methane, the main component of natural gas, is more powerful than carbon dioxide, although its emissions do not last as long in the atmosphere.

Republican Representative Garret Graves of Louisiana, a member of Select House's Select House Climate Crisis Committee, also said he was opposed to the proposed action by the EPA to end the direct federal regulation of methane.

In an interview with the Washington ExaminerGraves was asked if he supported the EPA decision.

"I do not think I know it, No. According to the reports, I have some concerns at this point," Graves said.

Graves added, "Methane has a higher global warming potential than many other greenhouse gases, and to the extent that we can capture fugitive emissions in a reasonable way, we should do so."

Rooney pointed out that large corporations have warned the Trump administration that limiting federal oversight of methane leaks would tarnish the industry's reputation. Some companies, such as Shell, BP and Exxon, have urged the EPA to maintain the Obama era's methane leakage regulations instead of weakening them.

"Even the big oil companies agree that dismantling this rule is not necessary," Rooney said. "The only entities pushing for this change are some independent producers who do not want to spend money to comply with the more stringent standards that provide better protection for our environment."