Methane Clips: May 14, 2024

 

Methane Reporting Rule Limits Use Of ‘Advanced’ Monitoring Technology — “EPA’s final oil and gas sector greenhouse gas reporting rule reiterates the agency’s view that limitations in ‘advanced’ methane monitoring technologies -- such as satellites, aircraft or continuous monitors -- preclude relying on them to quantify annual emissions, even as officials are embracing them for detecting large emissions events. The agency’s updates to the reporting requirements, however, do allow for direct measurement of emissions from several source types, in what observers say will prompt operators to weigh whether to use such approaches as a possible route to minimizing their obligations under the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) methane emissions fee. ‘I suspect that some of the better-performing industry players will be happy about this’ language, says one environmentalist, citing language in the final rule allowing use of these calculation methods in 2024, more quickly than the agency had proposed. An industry source likewise says that this option could prompt operators to compare the results of using current emission factors that estimate emissions from different types of facilities to results based on the new calculation methods.” [Inside EPA, 5/13/24 (=)]

 

Continental Resources Takes On The EPA Over Methane Rules — “A challenge by Oklahoma City’s Continental Resources to the new Environmental Protection Agency rule on methane standards for the oil and gas industry contends the EPA illegally expanded its authority beyond what is authorized. Continental was joined by Oklahoma and Texas and 22 other states in taking on the giant agency used by the Biden administration to wage his war on fossil fuels. The oil company contends it’s an illegal move by the EPA and beyond what is authorized by the Clean Air Act.” [OK Energy Today, 5/13/24 (=)]

 

Landfills Release Millions Of Tons Of Carbon Dioxide. Washington State Is Responding With New Regulations. — “Landfills generate millions of metric tons of carbon dioxide every year. The Washington Department of Ecology announced new regulations on landfills on Monday. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), landfills released about 120 million metric tons of methane nationally in 2022, accounting for 17% of total US methane emissions. The WA Department of Ecology will now require landfills to install methane collection equipment and processing systems. It claims that the new rules will significantly reduce methane emissions. ‘Ecology estimates the new regulation will prevent the equivalent of about 1.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from escaping into the atmosphere every year,’ the department said. Washington is obligated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 95% by 2050 under the 2021 Climate Commitment Act (CCA). According to the Department of Ecology, the 26 landfills who will fall under the new regulations will be able to apply for CCA grant funding to meet compliance standards.” [KAYU-TV, 5/13/24 (=)]

 

Marathon Co. Solid Waste Plans To Turn Harmful Methane Gas Into A Renewable Energy Source — “Have you ever driven by a landfill and gotten a big, stinky whiff? It actually doesn’t smell that way most of the time. The Marathon County Solid Waste Department can somewhat control the smell by adjusting the barometric pressure. Fast, large swings in temperature are what causes it to stink. Now, technology new to the landfill in Marathon County will help with another issue. The Marathon County Solid Waste Department’s landfill takes in 1,000 tons of trash every day. About 30% of that trash is producing planet-warming methane gas which happens when organic waste decomposes without oxygen. ‘Methane emissions are terrible for the atmosphere,’ said Jake Crouse, Vice President of Development at Viridi Energy. Landfills are estimated to make up about 20% of the Earth’s methane emissions. That’s why they’re legally required to extract the gas. In Marathon County, it’s collected through a network of 80 extraction wells flowing to underground pipes and sent up a flare stack.” [WSAW-TV, 5/13/24 (=)]

 

Demonized As Contributing To Climate Change, Cattle May Actually Decrease Emissions, Research Shows — “Few things have escaped environmentalists’ scorn, and even cows have not been exempt from blame for climate change. Emissions from livestock production have become an increasing focus of efforts to fight climate change. The United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that 11.1% of emissions worldwide come from livestock production, and the organization released a report last year urging Americans to eat less meat. If people aren’t eating meat, the argument goes, then fewer cows are produced. If there’s fewer cows, there’s less emissions. However, research by pro-agribuisness outfits Alltech and Archbold suggests that the thinking on reducing emissions at the source is missing a bigger picture on cattles’ relationship with the land, and possibly, by removing grazing from pastures, emissions will actually go up.” [Just The News, 5/13/24 (-)]

 

 

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