According to a new study made by researchers at Harvard University and seven other institutions, the overall total methane emissions in the United States is between 1.5 and 1.7 higher than the amounts estimated by the EPA and the EDGAR. This is why the Interior Department proposed on Friday a new rule in order to control the emissions from oil and gas drilling on public land. This new regulation would make oil, gas and coal companies have to pay more to mine and drill on public land and thus reduce the fossil fuel emissions that contribute to climate change. The proposed rule would require producers to adopt currently available technologies, processes, and equipment that would limit the rate of flaring at oil wells on public and tribal lands, make operators periodically inspect their operations for leaks, and replace outdated equipment that vents large quantities of gas into the air.

The objective of the executive is to cut methane emissions by 40 to 45 percent from 2012 levels to 2025. Methane is a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Both gases contribute to the global warming our planet is experiencing, as 2015 was the hottest year in historical record according to an article published in the NY Times.

The media attention on this topic has increased after a broken pipe has been spewing methane in Los Angeles, California, sending thousands of people from their homes.

References:

• Davenport, C. (2016, January 22). U.S. Moves to Limit Emissions of PlanetWarming Methane. Retrieved January 24, 2016, from http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/23/us/methane-emission-rules-interiordepartment.html?rref=collection/sectioncollection/science
• Perry, C. (2015, November 25). U.S. methane emissions exceed government estimates. Retrieved January 24, 2016, from http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2013/11/u-s-methane-emissions-far-exceedgovernment-estimates/
• Gillis, J. (2016, January 20). 2015 Was Hottest Year in Historical Record, Scientists Say. Retrieved January 24, 2016, from http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/21/science/earth/2015-hottest-year-global-warming.html?_r=0