Calls to Treat All Energy Suppliers Equally
From January 2027, companies importing oil and gas into the European Union will be required to meet strict monitoring, reporting and verification standards tied to methane emissions from their suppliers. A group of US lawmakers is now urging the EU not to weaken those rules or offer exemptions to American energy producers if US standards fail to match the bloc’s level of accuracy or enforcement.
In a letter obtained by Euronews and signed by 24 members of Congress, the lawmakers describe the EU’s methane regulation as a vital tool to curb the wasteful flaring and venting of natural gas. Methane, a short-lived but highly potent greenhouse gas, can be up to 30 times more damaging than carbon dioxide over the short term.
They argue that consistent rules for all exporters are essential to lowering trade barriers between countries with stronger environmental standards, while rewarding companies that invest in proven technologies to cut methane leaks.
EU Signals Flexibility, Not Exemptions
The letter encourages the European Commission to work closely with US federal and state authorities, industry, academics and NGOs to fine-tune how the law is applied, rather than issuing broad exemptions. Signatories include Sheldon Whitehouse, Scott H. Peters, Dan Goldman, Jared Huffman, Kathy Castor and Laura Friedman.
Their appeal stands in contrast to comments made last year by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who warned during a visit to Brussels that the methane rules could disrupt trade. The timing is sensitive, as it coincides with talks around a major EU-US energy deal that could see the bloc purchase roughly $750 billion worth of oil, gas and nuclear energy by 2028.
The European Commission has already outlined ways to simplify how the regulation is implemented. Options include allowing third-party certificates to verify emissions at production sites or using a digital “trace and claim” system that tracks fuel volumes through the supply chain. However, officials stress that these changes do not alter the law’s core requirements.
Uncertainty Looms for US Energy Producers
Despite signals of flexibility, Brussels has made clear it does not plan to grant exemptions. A Commission spokesperson said the EU remains committed to the law’s ambition while working with partners to ensure a practical rollout that also considers energy security.
On the US side, the picture is less clear. Although the Environmental Protection Agency strengthened methane rules in 2024 to bring them closer to EU standards, those measures were delayed the following year, with reporting paused and mitigation requirements pushed back. That shift has created uncertainty for companies exporting to Europe.
Environmental groups say firms that already measure and manage methane emissions are well placed to benefit. Methane, which comes from fossil fuel production and livestock digestion, is responsible for about 30% of global warming since the industrial revolution, according to the International Energy Agency—underscoring why the EU is reluctant to dilute its approach.
