Methane Clips: January 6, 2022

General News

Climate Advocates Hopeful After Manchin Spending Comments. According to The Hill, “limate advocates are feeling optimistic after Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) expressed openness to climate provisions in the Democrats’ proposed social and climate spending bill amid his disagreement with other pieces of the legislation. They say that they anticipate many climate measures getting across the finish line — even if Manchin didn’t specify a vehicle to get them here. On Tuesday, Manchin held firm on prior skepticism of the Build Back Better Act (BBB), a centerpiece of President Biden’s legislative agenda, but said that climate is an area ‘that we probably can come to an agreement much easier than anything else.’ He touted ‘a lot of good things in there,’ specifically mentioning clean energy tax credits, but also cautioned that Democrats should be ‘realistic.’ ‘The takeaway is — I definitely think there’s a path forward, not just on climate but broadly on BBB’ said Sierra Club legislative director Melinda Pierce. Jamal Raad, executive director of climate group Evergreen Action, said he believes Manchin’s comment indicates that there is ‘widespread support among the caucus for the climate investment.’ Raad particularly pointed to the fact that Manchin ‘name checks certain provisions like the clean energy tax credits, which are the linchpin of the proposal.’ What’s unclear is how those provisions will become law given the divide over the larger measure. […] Manchin has objected to some programs that liberals wanted included in the Build Back Better bill to tackle climate change, nixing a proposed program that would have incentivized power providers to shift towards clean energy sources. The methane program was also modified to include funding for companies. It originally only contained a fee for excess release of the gas. Other disagreements must still be sorted out, including a tax credit for union-built electric vehicles opposed by Manchin. Manchin also indicated last month that some aspects of the methane fee were still being worked out.” [Hill, 1/6/22 (=)]

U.S. Says More Than Half Of States Will Seek Oil Well Cleanup Funds. According to Reuters, “The Biden administration on Wednesday said more than half of U.S. states intend to apply for a portion of the $4.7 billion carved out in the new infrastructure law for cleaning up abandoned oil and gas wells. Well-plugging efforts are part of President Joe Biden’s goal to reduce climate-warming methane emissions, create jobs and address pollution in communities impacted by infrastructure left behind in the more than century of U.S. oil and gas drilling. The number of abandoned wells in the United States has grown over the last decade, and many experts believe the number will keep growing as fossil fuels are replaced with cleaner forms of energy. A memo issued by the Department of Interior said 26 states had indicated interest in applying for the grants. They include nearly every state with documented orphaned wells, which are defined as wells with an owner that is either unknown or insolvent.” [Reuters, 1/5/22 (=)]

United States Methane Emissions Study 2021 With Profiles Of The Top 5 Methane Emitting Companies. According to PR Newswire, “The ‘Methane - The Low-Hanging Fruit of Emissions Reduction’ report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering. Methane is a potent but short-lived greenhouse gas, so reductions can have immediate climate benefits. The oil & gas sector can reduce methane emissions using existing technologies, and an estimated 43% of emissions could be abated at at zero not cost or net profit. Furthermore, standard emission measurement techniques are thought to undercount methane emissions. Increased use of aerial, satellite, and infrared imaging has only recently begun to reveal their true scale. The US is the second-largest emitter of methane from oil & gas operations, and while emission intensity is below the global average, much room for improvement remains. Within the sector, oil & gas production accounts for nearly half of emissions, while gathering & boosting and natural gas distribution also have significant contributions. Emissions mainly originate from a variety of vented sources, especially pneumatic devices, as well as equipment leaks. Newly proposed EPA regulations would aim to decrease methane emissions 74% by 2030. Finally, the top methane emitting companies in the US are profiled in this report.” [PR Newswire, 1/5/22 (=)]