January 28 — Today, US Senators Angus King (I-ME), Heinrich (D-NM) and Cantwell (D-WA) wrote to Chairman Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Ranking Member John Barrasso (R-WY) urging the Senate Energy Committee to hold a hearing to “examine federal and industry efforts and opportunities to reduce methane emissions in the oil and gas sector, and to review available technologies for methane leak detection, mitigation, and emissions tracking.” As the national coalition representing the Methane mitigation industry we applaud the Senators for requesting this timely hearing. As the Biden Administration and states across the country consider policies to control methane waste, innovative technologies developed by a range of companies can provide cost-effective solutions for oil and gas companies.
We encourage the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to convene this hearing at the earliest possible date. You can read the letter here:
The Honorable Joe Manchin
Chairman
Energy and Natural Resources Committee 304 Dirksen Senate Building Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable John Barrasso
Ranking Member
Energy and Natural Resources Committee 304 Dirksen Senate Building Washington, DC 20510
January 28, 2021
Dear Chairman Manchin and Ranking Member Barrasso:
We respectfully request you make it an early priority of the 117th Congress for the Energy and Natural Resources Committee to hold a hearing to examine federal and industry efforts and opportunities to reduce methane emissions in the oil and gas sector, and to review available technologies for methane leak detection, mitigation, and emissions tracking.
Addressing methane is critical for a number of reasons. While the gas is relatively short lived in the atmosphere, it is extremely potent; over a 20-year period, methane has a warming potential 84 times greater than carbon dioxide. It’s clear that methane leaks, if left unabated, affect our environment, human health, and waste a valuable resource. According to the International Energy Agency, 15 percent of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions are a product of global oil and gas production. Mitigating methane leaks is the most important and cost-effective way to reduce energy sector emissions.
A range of technologies and methodologies have been developed to detect, mitigate, and quantify methane leaks. These existing strategies present an opportunity to deliver significant environmental, health, and economic benefits through reduced emissions and improved operational efficiency, particularly from oil and gas infrastructure. As President Biden recommits the U.S. to the Paris Climate Accord and to the global fight against climate change, it is more important than ever to secure U.S. leadership in methane emissions detection and quantification technologies.
We look forward to working with you this year to address climate change through the application of innovative technologies, and urge the Committee to put a particular focus on methane leak detection and emission reductions as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
ANGUS S. KING, JR. MARTIN HEINRICH MARIA CANTWELL United States Senator United States Senator United States Senator