To bolster their position, industry claims that methane emissions are down:
"Industry points to the EPA’s own numbers, which show that, even as oil and gas production has surged, methane emissions have declined by 17 percent."This is a point that has been made repeatedly by industry types so it's helpful to unpack it -- and set the record straight.
Although Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program data shows the industry’s total methane emissions fell 12 percent between 2011 and 2013, emissions from key activities not currently covered by federal standards went up substantially.
Reported declines after 2009 also completely ignore oil well emissions, which account for a substantial share of the sector’s total methane footprint.
Even those numbers don’t paint the whole picture.
Two other recent national studies suggest EPA’s overall estimates of methane emissions from the oil and gas industry are too low by half based on actual methane emissions measured by scientists.
Taken together, there is a body of evidence that shows that methane emissions are a huge problem that needs to be addressed -- which is why EPA's new rules on methane are a solid first step. But much more remains to be done. The good news is that low-cost, high-impact regulations provide an opportunity to help fight climate change, improve air and public health -- and prevent waste of product. The time for action is now.
Andrew Sharp is PennFuture's director of outreach and is based in Philadelphia. He tweets @RexBainbridge.
