EnergyInnovates: Methane-Tackling that ‘Other’ Gas

The lion’s share of the policy discussion around greenhouse gas emissions focuses on carbon dioxide—and rightfully so as CO2 accounts for 80% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. However, methane is estimated to trap heat in the atmosphere at a rate 25 times greater than CO2, and policy makers are increasingly focusing their attention on addressing these emissions while also balancing policies to support domestic energy supply in order to maintain reliability and affordability for consumers. While only accounting for 30% of man-made methane emissions, the oil and natural gas industry has been driving innovations in methane detection and abatement, creating cleaner energy alternatives both here in the U.S. and abroad.