Climate Change (generally)
Leaking Methane: Natural Gas, Climate Change, and Uncertainty
Author
Chandler Randol, Jean M. Mosites, Richard Hyde, John Jacus, Theresa Pugh, and Ben Ratner
Author Bios (long)

Chandler Randol is Manager of Educational Programs for ELI. Jean M. Mosites (moderator) is a Shareholder at Babst Calland. Richard Hyde is the Executive Director of ONE Future. John Jacus is a Partner at Davis, Graham & Stubbs. Theresa Pugh is the President of Theresa Pugh Consulting, LLC. Ben Ratner is the Senior Director, EDF+Business, at Environmental Defense Fund.

Date
September 2020
Volume
50
Issue
9
Page
10695
Type
Dialogue
Summary

Recent studies suggest natural gas is significantly more carbon-intensive than previously realized, with methane having at least 25 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide. If the United States is to meet greenhouse gas reduction goals, it must curtail methane leakage between 30% and 90%, and leakage is anticipated to cost producers $2 billion each year in lost product. Absent regulations from the federal government and many states, nongovernmental organizations and the private sector are developing innovative solutions. On April 8, 2020, the Environmental Law Institute hosted a panel that explored cutting-edge practices to monitor and mitigate leaking methane. Here, we present a transcript of the discussion, which has been edited for style, clarity, and space considerations.

H.R. 10491
Update Type
Committee Name
Committees on Natural Resources and Science, Space, and Technology
Sponsor Name
Huffman
Sponsor Party Affiliation
D-Cal.
Issue
2
Volume
55
Update Issue
36
Update Volume
54
Congress Number
118
Congressional Record Number
170 Cong. Rec. H7358

would require the Administrator of NOAA to establish a Blue Carbon Program to conserve and restore blue carbon ecosystems

S. 5509
Update Type
Committee Name
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Sponsor Name
Welch
Sponsor Party Affiliation
D-Vt.
Issue
2
Volume
55
Update Issue
36
Update Volume
54
Congress Number
118
Congressional Record Number
170 Cong. Rec. S7003

would require the administrator of NOAA to provide support to state governments in the production by those governments of quadrennial state climate assessments. 

H.R. 10418
Update Type
Committee Name
Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means
Sponsor Name
Beyer
Sponsor Party Affiliation
D-Va.
Issue
2
Volume
55
Update Issue
36
Update Volume
54
Congress Number
118
Congressional Record Number
170 Cong. Rec. H7228

would cap the emissions of greenhouse gases through a requirement to purchase carbon permits and distribute the proceeds of such purchases to eligible individuals. 

S. 5519
Update Type
Committee Name
Committee on Armed Services
Sponsor Name
Warren
Sponsor Party Affiliation
D-Mass.
Issue
2
Volume
55
Update Issue
36
Update Volume
54
Congress Number
118
Congressional Record Number
170 Cong. Rec. S7003

would require the Secretary of Defense to enhance the readiness of DOD to challenges relating to climate change and improve the energy and resource efficiency of the Department.

S. 2645
Update Type
Committee Name
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Issue
2
Volume
55
Update Issue
36
Update Volume
54
Congress Number
118
Congressional Record Number
170 Cong. Rec. S7103

would reduce the health risks of heat by establishing the National Integrated Heat Health Information System within NOAA and the National Integrated Heat Health Information System Interagency Committee to improve extreme heat preparedness, planning, and response, requiring a study, and establishing financial assistance programs to address heat effects.