EPA highlights decline in methane emissions from natural gas production

WASHINGTON, April 15, 2015 – A new EPA report shows continued decline in methane emissions from natural gas production, as operators capture and deliver more natural gas to consumers, said API.
   
“The latest inventory shows that U.S. producers continue to make dramatic improvements, with net methane emissions from natural gas production falling 38 percent since 2005,” said Howard J. Feldman, API senior director of regulatory and scientific affairs. “These voluntary efforts will continue, as operators work to capture more gas and deliver it to consumers. Another layer of burdensome regulations will only interfere with that progress.”
   
The EPA also reported that methane emissions from hydraulically fractured natural gas wells are down 79 percent since 2005. Total methane emissions from natural gas systems are down 11 percent since 2005.
  
“Responsible production and use of natural gas is a major reason why U.S. carbon emissions are near a 20-year low,” said Feldman. “We should harness this opportunity to build on that momentum and even export natural gas to our allies, creating more jobs and energy security here at home.”
     
API is the only national trade association representing all facets of the oil and natural gas industry, which supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy. API’s more than 625 members include large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms. They provide most of the nation’s energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 20 million Americans.