Why voluntary standards alone will not reduce harmful methane emissions

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently expanded its Natural Gas STAR Methane Challenge Program, a voluntary framework for the reduction of methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. While all efforts to reduce the emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, are welcome, it is clear that voluntary standards alone don't work as less than one percent of oil and gas producers are currently participating in the Natural Gas STAR program.

Methane has a global warming potential 84 times greater than carbon in the first 20 years after its release into the atmosphere. Along with other co-pollutants, it leads to the formation of ground-level ozone, or smog, a known contributor to asthma attacks and lung and heart disease. These twin climate killers are putting both public health and our environment at risk.

Photo credit: WCN 24/7 via Flickr Creative Commons

The technology exists today to capture and control methane emissions for pennies per thousand cubic feet of gas. What Pennsylvania needs are strong rules to curb methane emissions from both new and existing sources that include a robust leak detection and repair program. While programs that help achieve that goal are welcome, it's clear that voluntary standards alone won't do the trick.

Read more on the need for strong, enforceable standards on methane emissions from the National Wildlife Federation and the Environmental Defense Fund.

Elaine Labalme is Strategic Campaigns Director for PennFuture and is based in Pittsburgh. She tweets @NewGirlInTown.