Methane emissions in oil and gas basins far exceed EPA estimates — report – “The country's biggest oil and gas basins emit four times more methane than federal estimates, according to new research based on flight surveys. The assessment, released Wednesday by the Environmental Defense Fund, adds to existing concerns that the federal government is undercounting planet-warming emissions from U.S. oil and gas operations. Methane breaks down faster in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, but has about 80 times the heat-trapping capability over a 20-year period.” [Politico, 8/1/24 (+)]
A troubling picture on methane — “Two new reports have bad news on methane emissions in the U.S. and worldwide. Why it matters: Methane is a powerful planet-warming gas. Failure to slash emissions from agriculture, oil production and elsewhere will likely keep Paris Agreement temperature goals out of reach. Driving the news: Big U.S. oil and gas fields are releasing four times as much methane as EPA tallies that are based on industry data, an Environmental Defense Fund analysis claims. The findings are based on high-tech aerial surveys in 2023 using a specially equipped airplane. It previews what’s possible globally with the recently launched MethaneSAT satellite, EDF said. Meanwhile, a paper in Frontiers in Science finds an ‘abrupt and rapid increase’ in the growth rate of atmospheric methane in the early 2020s. It cites two main reasons: higher levels from fossil fuel production, and wetlands releasing more in a warming climate. Methane, along with CO2, must ‘drop rapidly’ to limit warming to 1.5°C-2°C above preindustrial levels, the paper notes. Costs of stemming the gas are low compared to harms from warming, but ‘legally binding regulations and methane pricing are needed to meet climate goals,’ it argues.” [Axios, 8/1/24 (+)]
What we’re reading: Michigan’s landfills lead on methane – “Michigan leads the nation in toxic methane emissions from landfills, equivalent to 11 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, and has the highest per capita waste rate. Experts warn that methane emissions are spiraling out of control, with the EPA investigating underreported emissions and considering tougher standards under new clean energy legislation.” [Planet Detroit, 7/31/24 (=)]