Pressure Builds Ahead of 2027 Deadline
From January 2027, companies importing oil and gas into the European Union will be required to understandingly monitor, report, and verify methane emissions tied to their supplies. As that deadline approaches, a group of US lawmakers is urging Brussels not to water down the rules—particularly for American energy producers.
In a letter seen by Euronews, 24 members of Congress argue that the EU’s methane regulation is essential for cutting emissions of the powerful greenhouse gas, which is far more potent than carbon dioxide in the short term. They warn that granting exemptions to US suppliers, especially if domestic standards are weak or poorly enforced, would undermine the law’s purpose.
Calls for Fair and Consistent Standards
The lawmakers describe the methane regulation as a key tool to curb wasteful practices like gas venting and flaring, while also encouraging the use of existing technologies that significantly reduce emissions. They say clear, uniform rules for all exporters are necessary to avoid trade distortions and to reward companies that have already invested in cleaner operations.
Rather than broad exemptions, the letter encourages the European Commission to work closely with US federal and state authorities, industry leaders, academics, and environmental groups to ensure the law is implemented smoothly. Signatories include prominent Democrats such as Sheldon Whitehouse, Jared Huffman, Kathy Castor, and Laura Friedman.
Their message stands in contrast to earlier criticism from US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who warned last year that the EU’s methane law could disrupt trade. The issue is especially sensitive as the EU and US move toward a major energy trade arrangement potentially worth hundreds of billions of dollars.
Commission Sticks to Its Ambition
The European Commission has recently outlined ways to simplify how the regulation is put into practice, including the use of third-party emissions certificates or a digital “trace and claim” system that tracks fuel volumes through the supply chain. However, officials stress that these changes do not alter the substance of the law.
A Commission spokesperson said there are no plans to exempt any suppliers and that Brussels remains committed to the regulation’s goals while helping companies adapt. At the same time, uncertainty persists for US producers after the Environmental Protection Agency delayed and suspended stricter methane rules at home, creating a gap between US and EU standards.
Environmental groups say the lawmakers’ letter highlights growing international agreement on the need for tougher methane controls. With methane responsible for roughly 30% of global warming since the industrial revolution, advocates argue that strong, enforceable rules are not just an environmental necessity but also a way to give responsible energy producers long-term certainty.
