Energy Exchange

Study shows small sources account for large share of oil & gas methane emissions, underscores importance of key federal initiatives

By Jon Goldstein / Published: February 4, 2025

For a dozen years, study after scientific study has documented the vast amount of methane released to the atmosphere by oil and gas operations worldwide. Faced with mounting data, both producers and regulators have slowly but steadily ramped up efforts to cut these emissions, which are both a waste of natural resources and a powerful climate pollutant.

Until now, emphasis has largely been on chasing down large emissions sources, sometimes called super-emitters. After all, why not go after the biggest fish first? What’s more, big leaks are easier to find. But a new study led by EDF scientists builds an integrated analysis of measurement-based data spanning a range of emitting facilities across multiple US oil and gas basins calls this assumption into question.

Five States That Are Moving Forward on Methane – Some May Surprise You!

By Jon Goldstein / Published: September 12, 2024

Fall is a time for many of us to return to work after a (hopefully) relaxing summer break. For many state environmental regulators across the U.S., this fall is also an opportunity to dive in on the important issue of reducing methane emissions from oil and gas development. That’s why it is very encouraging that across the nation from Wyoming to Pennsylvania (and even in Texas) several states are already hard at work.

The EPA issued new standards to limit oil and gas methane pollution in March that for the first time apply to new and existing wells nationwide. These rules will cut pollution by 80% at covered sources according to EPA’s estimates by requiring a variety of actions like ensuring all wells are inspected regularly for leaks, swapping out polluting devices on wells and phasing out routine flaring at newly drilled wells.

Posted in General / Authors: jgoldstein / Comments are closed

Three ways EPA’s upcoming methane regulations will help slow climate change and protect public health

By Jon Goldstein / Published: November 13, 2023

In a move that will protect communities across the country, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will soon finalize new rules to reduce methane and other toxic, smog-forming pollution from the nation’s oil and gas industry.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that’s fueling much of the climate crisis due to the excessive warming it creates during its lifetime in the atmosphere. Methane makes up about 12% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., but it’s responsible for over 25% of current warming.

Posted in Air Quality, Methane regulatons / Authors: jgoldstein / Comments are closed

New study finds flaring source of five times more pollution than previously thought

By Jon Goldstein / Published: September 30, 2022

A new study out today in the journal Science finds that climate-warming methane emissions from flaring, the practice of burning off gas rather than capturing it for productive use, are five times higher than government estimates — primarily due to unlit and malfunctioning flares. Researchers conclude that flares are combusting at a 91% efficiency rate, significantly lower than the 98% efficiency rate that is assumed by operators and policymakers.

These findings confirm that our current environmental standards are not adequately controlling this pollution source and underline the need for urgent regulatory action from the Environmental Protection Agency and Bureau of Land Management to limit pollution and waste from flaring.

Posted in Air Quality, BLM Methane, Climate, General, Methane, Methane regulatons / Comments are closed

INTERACTIVE MAP: Who is impacted most by overlooked pollution from America’s small oil and gas wells

By Jon Goldstein / Published: July 19, 2022

A new EDF map is making it easier to access information about the communities across the country who are impacted by pollution from small oil and gas wells with leak-prone equipment.

There are over half a million wells across the country that are producing less than 15 barrels of oil and gas a day. But while they produce just 6% of the nation’s oil and gas, a new study reveals they are causing half of wellsite pollution nationwide.

Explore the map to learn more about your county.

This pollution has a very real impact on the climate and on the health of communities who live near these facilities. Not only do these facilities emit significant volumes of the potent greenhouse gas methane, they also leak other pollution that is toxic to human health and can severely deteriorate air quality.

Nearly 8 million people across the country live within half a mile of these well sites. A closer look at the data reveals that pollution from these wells has a disproportionate impact on many historically marginalized or vulnerable communities.

Posted in Air Quality, Methane, Methane regulatons / Comments are closed

As nations sign on to end routine flaring, Biden admin must act

By Jon Goldstein / Published: July 15, 2022

The last two months have seen encouraging momentum in the effort to tackle emissions of methane — a greenhouse gas that drives over a quarter of current warming — and the practice of flaring, which is a major source of energy waste and methane pollution.

Starting with last month’s Major Economies Forum, one of the last major climate gatherings before COP 27 in Egypt, signatories to the Global Methane Pledge introduced a new goal to end routine flaring as soon as possible, and by 2030 at the latest.

Then, just this week, the U.S. and Mexico announced a commitment to cooperate and help Mexico develop a plan to eliminate routine flaring in alignment with the Global Methane Pledge.

Fast action to end routine flaring is critical for reducing emissions of methane, protecting human health and the climate, and stopping needless waste of energy resources as the world faces an energy crisis spurred by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Now, the U.S. has work to do to ensure domestic policies can live up to our own global commitments. Fortunately, both the Bureau of Land Management and the Environmental Protection Agency have the authority and obligation to implement strong rules that end routine flaring.

Posted in Air Quality, BLM Methane, Colorado, Methane regulatons, Natural Gas, PermianMAP / Tagged New Mexico | Comments are closed