McClellan Introduces Bill to Mitigate Methane Emissions
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) joined Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06), Scott Peters (CA-50), and Kevin Mullin (CA-15) to introduce the Methane Emissions Mitigation Research and Development Act to create a program for methane emissions detection and mitigation research, development, and demonstration for technologies and methods that would detect and mitigate emissions.
Methane is one of the leading contributors to greenhouse gasses with 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide. Methane from human action drives up to 30% of today’s global warming. As the world’s leading producer of oil and gas, the United States has a unique opportunity and a pressing obligation to lead the global community in reducing methane emissions.
The Methane Emissions Mitigation Research and Development Act, in accordance with the EPA’s recent methane rule, recognizes and encourages innovation. New technology like the recently announced Environmental Defense Fund’s methane monitoring satellite project MethaneSAT would assist in mitigating the effects of methane emissions.
“The climate crisis is one of the greatest threats we face, and vulnerable communities bear the brunt of environmental degradation and long-standing injustices,” said Rep. McClellan. “We must continue to take decisive steps to curb harmful emissions and protect our planet. I am excited to help introduce the Methane Emissions Mitigation Research and Development Act to provide us with the tools to meaningfully address this problem.”
“Cutting methane emissions is one of the most effective ways we can fight climate change,” said Rep. Casten. “This bill will implement lasting changes to transition to a clean energy future, provide opportunities for innovation to mitigate methane emissions, and get us on the path to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.”
“Controlling methane is key to slowing global warming and ensuring American energy is as clean as possible as we continue to transition to a clean energy future,” said Rep. Peters. “Our legislation will support new innovative technologies to detect and reduce methane emissions, while providing significant resources to respond to methane leaks. It also gives every level of government – from local to state to federal – the help needed to combat climate change through proactive methane reductions.”
“APS applauds Representative Casten for his leadership to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas industry, a significant contributor to climate change highlighted in the 2022 joint APS-Optica methane emissions report. Mr. Casten's bill addresses research and technology gaps currently preventing effective monitoring and prevention of methane leaks, which is a crucial step towards fulfilling our greenhouse gas reduction goals,” said Young-Kee Kim, President, American Physical Society.
The Methane Emissions Mitigation Research and Development Act has been endorsed by the American Physical Society. The bill text can be found here.