Methane From Gulf Oil Production Undercounted — Study. According to Politico, “Offshore oil and gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico are releasing far more climate-changing methane than official estimates show, according to a new study published Monday. Using data collected from aircraft in part, climate scientists found the additional methane coming from oil and gas platforms in the Gulf region raises their carbon intensity — the amount of climate-changing gas per unit of energy in the fuel — to twice as much as estimated by U.S. agencies like the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. The study is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.” [Politico, 4/4/23 (=)]
Hochul Throws Climate ‘Grenade’ Into Budget Talks. According to New York Focus, “GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL is pushing for an eleventh- hour budget measure that would allow New York to emit significantly more carbon in the coming decades than state climate law currently permits. Through a technical change in the state’s method of counting methane emissions, the proposal would require New York to cut roughly one-third less emissions this decade than currently required, a New York Focus analysis found. It would also exempt the burning of biofuels from being counted towards the state’s emissions cap, in what one lawmaker called a “stunning” carveout. A lobbyist for the forestry industry, which includes paper, timber, and other tree-based products, told New York Focus he’s been pushing for the exemption for years.” [New York Focus, 4/4/23 (=)]
New York, Citing Consumer Costs, May Ease Its Greenhouse Gas Accounting Rules. According to Washington Post, “New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) is backing a proposal to change the state’s method of accounting for greenhouse gas emissions, after state modeling estimated significant cost increases for buying gas and heating homes. Amid outcries from environmentalists, Hochul has defended the change, saying the current accounting system could saddle consumers with additional costs. ‘It’s clear that cost is an issue that needs more attention and we are working with the legislature to explore options to address it, and we remain committed to securing a state budget that includes the most impactful climate initiatives in recent history,’ Hochul spokeswoman Katy Zielinski said in an email.” [Washington Post, 4/4/23 (=)]
How Much Methane Is Generated By The Global Landfilling Of Urban Wastes? According to Waste Management World, “According to the World Bank, in 2020 the world generated 2.2 billion tons of waste, of which 40%2 were deposited in urban landfills. The biodegradable materials in landfills such as food waste and green waste, react with water to form methane and carbon dioxide. A simple equation to represent this bioreaction is: C6H10O4 + 1.5H2O = 3.25CH4 + 2.75CO2. This equation projects that the landfill biogas, after some oxidation at the upper layers of a landfill contains about 50% of CH4, which is the usual experience at landfills. However, the big unknown in waste management is how much methane is generated from one ton of waste over the years that the waste stays in a landfill. The answer to this question depends on many factors, such as location, climatic conditions, waste composition, depth of landfill, etc., etc.” [Waste Management World, 4/3/23 (=)]
U.K. Cows Could Get "Methane Suppressing Products" In Effort To Reduce Farm Greenhouse Gas Emissions. According to CBS News, “United Kingdom officials are on a mission to limit the region's impact on global warming and mitigate the impacts of climate change. As part of a large-scale approach to fulfill this goal, there's one area of focus that sticks out: cows. In March, the government unveiled its Net Zero Growth Plan, an initiative to limit reliance on fossil fuels – the burning of which significantly influences global temperature rise. One of the pathways to seeing this through is a focus on agricultural emissions, the country said, with officials adding in their plan that they are expecting ‘high efficacy methane suppressing products’ to enter the market in 2025 to help. Such products, they said, would be introduced in a ‘phased approach.’” [CBS News, 4/4/23 (=)]