NASA
Flyover Shows Number Of Places In California Responsible For Methane Emissions.
According
to KSRO, “A number of places in California are responsible for the vast majority of methane emissions in the state. NASA flew a plane carrying gas-imaging equipment above the state for three years and found that 10% of the places releasing methane are responsible
for over half of California’s total emissions. The report published in ‘Nature’ yesterday says that landfills give off more methane than any other source in the state.” [KSRO,
11/7/19
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'Super-Emitters'
Producing A Third Of Calif. Methane — Study. According
to E&E News, “The oil and gas sector is producing about a quarter of methane emissions in California, and its members are part of a group of ‘super-emitters’ in the state, according to a new study. From 2016 to 2018, NASA aircraft surveyed more than 272,000
infrastructure elements across California and found that landfills dominate methane point-source emissions in California at 41% of identified emissions. The oil and gas sector and dairies both accounted for 26%. The study, published this week in Nature, said
just 0.2% of the state’s infrastructure constituted up to 46% of its methane inventory for 2016. The team also identified more than 550 point-source emitting plumes of the concentrated greenhouse gas, 10% of which were considered ‘super-emitters’ and made
up the bulk of detected emissions. Statewide, super-emitters are responsible for about one-third of the state’s total methane budget, according to a NASA statement. Methane is roughly 30 times more potent as a heat-trapping gas, but data on point-source emissions
is still sparse, the paper said, citing a need to better measure and identify its sources. ‘These findings illustrate the importance of monitoring point sources across multiple sectors [of the economy] and broad regions, both for improved understanding of
methane budgets and to support emission mitigation efforts,’ said Riley Duren, the study’s lead scientist, in a statement.” [E&E News,
11/8/19
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Power Shutoffs Raise Questions On California Plan To Phase Out Natural Gas.
According to Inside EPA, “Widespread utility power shutoffs to help prevent catastrophic wildfires in California are raising new questions about the state’s broader move to phase
out most natural gas use in homes and buildings in favor of electricity, given that some gas appliances -- such as stoves, fireplaces and water heaters -- can still work during power outages. ‘This certainly will be discussed’ in upcoming meetings of California
energy regulators on several related policy proceedings, says California Energy Commission (CEC) member Andrew McAllister, in an interview with InsideEPA/climate. ‘Today, it’s a legitimate worry people have.’ McAllister is the lead commissioner for energy
efficiency and building decarbonization under CEC’s Integrated Energy Policy Report (IEPR) proceeding, as well as the lead for all natural gas topics. Though the issue is likely to be discussed among commissioners, staff and an array of stakeholders in the
coming months, McAllister says the state’s long-term vision of reducing natural gas and other fossil fuels in homes and buildings is unlikely to change as a result of the power shutoffs. The electrification of buildings and vehicles is a major strategy in
California’s plan to achieve greenhouse gas targets of 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030, and 80 percent by 2050. Officials may begin focusing more intently on ensuring electricity is maintained at community levels even if there are broader power line shutoffs
by utilities such as Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (PG&E), McAllister says.” [Inside EPA,
11/7/19 (=)]
Bill Would Ban Venting, Flaring On Public Lands.
According to E&E News, “Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) reintroduced legislation yesterday that would force the Interior Department to ban venting and flaring of natural gas on public land
and waters. The ‘Fuel Loss Abatement and Royalty Enhancement (FLARE) Act’ would allow some exceptions to the rule — de minimis gas and gas flared for safety reasons. The bill would force oil companies to pay royalties on vented or flared gas and require the
Government Accountability Office to report to Congress on how much gas is being released. ‘Taxpayers should be compensated for the loss of this valuable natural resource on public lands, and the oil and gas industry energy should end this practice that pollutes
and fuels the climate crisis,’ Markey said in a statement. Venting and flaring have reached record highs in the oil boom areas of West Texas and southeast New Mexico, where limited infrastructure and low gas prices have led to greater disposal by other means.
The practice has irked lawmaker who say releasing methane contributes to global warming while combustion causes health and air quality concerns. West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin (D) said in an Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing earlier in the day
that a lack of pipeline infrastructure was no excuse for companies that are releasing public resources. ‘When gas is vented and flared for purely economic reasons, that gas never makes it to the market, the royalty is never collected, and not one of us benefits
at all,’ he said.” [E&E News,
11/8/19 (=)]
Chad Ellwood
Climate Action Campaign
202.448.2877 ext. 119