Chairwoman Johnson Introduces Bill to Address Research Gaps in Methane Emission Monitoring
(Washington, DC)—Today, the Methane Emissions Research Act was introduced in the House of Representatives. The bill would create a pilot study at the Environmental Protection Agency to use direct measurements to quantify methane emissions from oil and gas infrastructure in the United States. The bill addresses knowledge gaps that were identified by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s investigation into oil and gas sector methane leaks earlier this year, as well as a hearing held by the Committee on June 8, 2022 that focused on the science of oil and gas sector methane emissions. Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson is the lead sponsor of the bill, along with Science Committee Members Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Haley Stevens (D-MI), and Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) as cosponsors.
“The Methane Emissions Research Act is an important step towards improving our understanding of oil and gas sector methane emissions,” said Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). “Achieving rapid and large-scale reductions in methane emissions from oil and gas operations is vital for America’s ability to confront the climate crisis and reach its emission reduction goals for the next decade. This pilot study will tell us a great deal about the size and characteristics of oil and gas methane emissions today, while creating a foundation for broader methane measurement activities by the Federal Government in the future. The bill will empower the Federal Government with accurate data to properly evaluate oil and gas sector methane emissions, and I’m proud to sponsor it alongside my Science Committee colleagues.”
View the Majority Staff Report here.
View the June 2022 hearing here.
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