Energy Tomorrow Blog
The Smart Path to Reliable Energy and Methane Emissions Reduction
emission reductions methane the-environmental-partnership regulation
Mark Green
Posted January 30, 2019
Reducing methane emissions from natural gas and oil development is a primary industry mission – underscored at last summer’s World Gas Conference, where speakers from all over the world talked about increased methane capture and reduced emissions.
The reasons are clear. Fundamentally, our industry is in the business of producing and delivering natural gas, of which methane is the main constituent. Capturing as much methane as possible is smart and efficient from a business standpoint.
Equally important, natural gas and oil companies recognize that reducing methane emissions is responsive to the expectations of society, which wants energy to be produced safely and in a way that’s environmentally responsible. Operators are innovating and deploying technologies to achieve those goals. …
All of these points are important to counter a faulty narrative – that more government regulation is the only way to reduce emissions. This view often faults efforts to craft a regulatory approach that strives for greater efficiency, is achievable and fosters innovation.
EPA's Missed Opportunity with Proposed OOOOa Amendments
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Jessica Lutz
Posted November 14, 2018
The good news is that EPA’s proposed amendments to the 2016 New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) OOOOa rule will continue the rule’s ability to effectively reduce volatile organic compound and methane emissions from all emission sources addressed in the previous administration’s rule. Methane is the primary component of natural gas – a key product for industry. Producers are incentivized to bring that product to consumers, making its capture a top priority from a business standpoint, in addition to the environmental considerations. Unfortunately, the proposed rule includes several missed opportunities, and could ultimately stifle innovative new technologies in emissions detection and increase the cost of energy for Americans.
Natural Gas and 'Clean Energy Week'
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Mark Green
Posted September 26, 2018
It’s Clean Energy Week, which API is proud to sponsor. Thus, a new commitment by an oil and natural gas industry group – the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI) – to reduce methane emissions is well-timed indeed. Three big points from OGCI’s announcement and Clean Energy Week: 1) Clean natural gas is integral to climate progress; 2) Industry is leading in reducing greenhouse gas emissions; 3) Climate action isn't exclusive to government regulation or special-interest agendas.
The Good News on (Lowering) Emissions
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Mark Green
Posted July 9, 2018
There’s good and not-so-good in a recent Washington Post editorial on natural gas and climate policy, which rightly nails the importance of natural gas to the U.S. economy and the environment, yet wrongly suggests more layers of government regulation are needed to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Reducing Methane Emissions as a Core Industry Value
methane emissions world-gas-conference
Mark Green
Posted June 28, 2018
When one speaker at the World Gas Conference talked about methane emissions from natural gas as the “elephant in the room” that industry isn’t talking about – I didn’t know what they were talking about! Everywhere at WGC2018, people are talking about reducing methane emissions.
That’s because natural gas and oil companies have been reducing emissions and are focused on continuing that progress in the future. No one is more focused on capturing methane – the key component in natural gas – than companies that sell natural gas.
Natural Gas, Benefits, Continuing Progress on Cutting Emissions
natural gas benefits emission reductions methane air quality the-environmental-partnership
Mark Green
Posted June 21, 2018
Let’s make three quick points following release of a new methane emissions report from the Environmental Defense Fund: The paper's findings are consistent with falling emissions; technology, knowledge and industry collaboration are continuing the progress already made in cutting emissions; and a sound, accurate base of information is needed to help build an understanding of where and how more improvements in reducing emissions can be made in the future.
Continuing to Reduce Methane Emissions Here on Earth
emission reductions natural gas methane the-environmental-partnership technology
Mark Green
Posted April 12, 2018
The Environmental Defense Fund’s plan to send up a satellite in two or three years to monitor methane emissions on earth from space generated headlines (some of the coverage here and here) and at some point can add to the knowledge base useful in advancing emissions goals. While EDF prepares for orbit, on terra firma our industry continues to use state-of-the-science technologies to reduce methane emissions from natural gas systems. With success: Emissions decreased 16.3 percent between 1990 and 2015, even as production increased nearly 52 percent.
This is a terrific, ongoing story that sometimes can get lost in the daily back and forth over who’s doing what on climate: Industry reducing emissions while also producing a natural gas abundance that benefits consumers, manufacturers and the environment, taking a lead role in reducing carbon dioxide levels to 25-year lows.
Energy Gifts
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Mark Green
Posted December 28, 2017
America’s energy abundance makes our country stronger, more prosperous and secure in the world. Safely harnessing this energy requires technology, innovation, access to reserves and smart policy. When these come together, we all benefit.
Landmark Environmental Partnership Launches
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Mark Green
Posted December 5, 2017
It’s hard to overstate the importance of industry’s new environmental initiative launched on Tuesday – The Environmental Partnership. “Landmark,” “historic” and “ground-breaking” all describe the partnership. Add to that list “bold” – with 26 natural gas and oil companies agreeing to share scientific information, innovations and best practices while being publicly accountable for progress on further reducing emissions from energy production. This is a big deal.
Reducing Methane Emissions, Advancing U.S. Energy
emission reductions epa methane natural gas
Mark Green
Posted July 11, 2017
We expect that, after all the data and emissions trends are considered, EPA will develop a science-based, cost-effective path to target emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), in which methane emissions reductions also are achieved. Industry supports environmental protection and, indeed, is demonstrating that support by taking actions to reduce methane emissions.
