Leaked documents reveal that the American Exploration and Production Council, a trade group representing major oil companies, is strategizing to dismantle Biden-era climate regulations—including methane emission rules—in anticipation of a Trump-backed deregulatory agenda. This move is seen as prioritizing industry profit over environmental and public welfare.

Confidential documents obtained by a watchdog reveal that the American Exploration and Production Council circulated plans among its member companies to draft executive orders aimed at dismantling Biden-era environmental regulations and other climate-related policies, paving the way for a Trump administration to implement a deregulation agenda.

The American Exploration and Production Council (AXPC) has drafted detailed plans to dismantle key Biden-era climate rules—including targeting methane fees and executive orders—leveraging its political influence and aligning with Trump’s agenda. These internal documents outline a significant lobbying effort and include over half a million dollars in targeted GOP spending, reflecting a coordinated move to reverse progressive environmental protections.

American Exploration and Production Council (AXPC), in collaboration with other industry groups including the American Petroleum Institute, signed a letter to OSHA in January criticizing a proposed heat rule intended to protect oil and gas workers. The group argued that the regulation imposed unnecessary burdens on industry operations, aligning with the Trump administration’s energy dominance agenda despite the rule’s intent to safeguard worker health amid rising global temperatures.

On May 11, 2023, AXPC released a statement in which CEO Anne Bradbury raised concerns about the EPA's new rule proposal on natural gas power plants. The proposal, which demands aggressive emissions reductions, was criticized by AXPC for relying on unproven technologies and potentially deterring investment in natural gas generating facilities. The statement defended the continued role of natural gas in providing affordable and reliable energy, highlighting the industry's contribution to US emissions reductions.

The American Exploration & Production Council spent $346,000 on lobbying activities in 2023, reflecting its active engagement in influencing policy and potentially shaping regulatory outcomes in favor of the oil and gas sector.