Methane Clips: August 16, 2024

SpaceX will launch A methane satellite to hold super polluters accountable — “There’s about to be a new methane eye in the sky. SpaceX is scheduled to launch on Friday the Tanager-1 satellite. The nonprofit Carbon Mapper is behind the satellite and will make the data available once it’s operational in the coming months. Tanager-1 is the second methane-detecting satellite launched in the past six months by a nonprofit, reflecting the growing scrutiny around the potent greenhouse gas and the satellites’ low cost relative to others used for atmospheric monitoring. Developed by Planet Labs PBC with technology from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Tanager-1 will be able to help pinpoint methane and carbon dioxide emissions from individual facilities. The satellite — no bigger than a mini-fridge — will attribute emissions within 50 meters of the source.” [Bloomberg, 8/16/24 (=)] 

Interior Department grants $775m to plug oil and gas wells — “The U.S. Department of the Interior said it’s making up to $775 million available for 21 eligible states to plug orphaned oil and gas wells to curb harmful methane leaks and reduce risks to the environment and public health. States ranging from Alabama and Alaska to West Virginia and Wyoming will have until Dec. 31 to apply for funding. More than $1 billion has already been distributed to states for such efforts through two prior rounds of grants, according to the Interior Department. The funding is part of the nearly $4.7 billion that the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act authorized to address orphaned well pollution. More than 8,200 orphaned wells have been plugged to date, according to the Interior Department. ‘These investments are good for our climate, for the health of our communities, and for American workers,’ Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a statement on Wednesday. ‘With this third round of additional funding, states will put more people to work to clean up these toxic sites, reduce methane emissions and safeguard our environment.’” [Law360, 8/15/24 (=)]