Potentially clearing the way for stricter regulations for oil and natural gas operations, the U.S. Senate on Wednesday passed a resolution to undo the Trump administration’s rollback of methane emissions standards.

Emissions

By a 52-42 roll call vote divided largely along party lines, passage of Senate Joint Resolution 14 signaled disapproval under the Congressional Review Act, targeting a Trump-era Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule. 

The Trump-led EPA relaxed regulations on methane emissions from the oil and gas industry. The Trump administration changes, enacted under former EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler, in turn were designed to roll back Obama-era regulations.

Wednesday’s vote on methane emissions paves the way for President Biden to move forward on one component...