"Underestimated: The Escalating Threat of Methane Emissions in the Energy Sector"

A new study in Nature suggests that the oil and gas industry may be emitting about three times more climate-warming methane than government estimates show. Researchers used aerial and ground data to estimate that nearly 3% of gas produced by the industry leaks into the air as methane, significantly higher than the EPA's estimate of 1.01%. The findings highlight the need for accurate measurements as the U.S. aims to cut methane pollution, with the EPA issuing rules for slashing the industry's methane emissions. Despite the undercounting of methane emissions, more countries are joining efforts to cut emissions, and advancements in measuring methane pollution, such as the launch of MethaneSAT, are providing greater transparency and awareness of the issue.