Natural Gas, Oil Operators Able to Draw on Federal Funding to Mitigate Methane Emissions

Federal funding is on tap to alleviate the costs for natural gas and oil producers to reduce and monitor their methane emissions.

The energy sector makes up 40% of total methane emissions from human activity, with gas and oil operations responsible for 80 million metric tons of these emissions, according to the International Energy Agency. 

However, the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) noted that “methane has more than 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over the first 20 years after it reaches the atmosphere.” 

According to EDF officials, “Cutting methane emissions is the fastest opportunity we have to immediately slow the rate of global warming, even as we decarbonize our energy systems.”

The Biden administration has earmarked $350 million in formula...