Media Advisory: New Report Shows Industry-Operated Methane Monitors Regularly Miss Pollution Events
Almost 40% of US gas is “certified” by third-party companies, allowing producers to claim reduced methane pollution. The problem? The claims are false. New research from Earthworks and Oil Change International compares first hand field evidence to operators’ emissions monitoring data.
Media Advisory
Under embargo until June 18, 6am ET
Al Johnson-Kurts, al@priceofoil.org, 802-595-9593
Almost 40% of US gas is “certified” by third-party companies, allowing producers to claim reduced methane pollution. The problem? The claims are false.
New research from Earthworks and Oil Change International compares first hand field evidence to operators’ emissions monitoring data and finds continuous emissions monitors (CEMs) at well sites regularly fail to detect emissions events, are inexplicably offline a significant portion of the time, and rarely result in oil and gas companies making repairs to malfunctioning equipment.
Yet the U.S. Department of Energy, Treasury Department, and EPA are considering or have already begun to integrate certification into policies and regulations. Utility companies are purchasing certified gas, passing premiums onto consumers, and claiming to make progress toward climate targets. Meanwhile, data shows U.S. methane emissions are rising in lockstep with fossil fuel production, and companies underreport their climate pollution by up to 95%.
Gas certification threatens climate goals by promoting false data and enabling gas companies to continue or expand operations under the guise of reduced emissions.
Email al@priceofoil.org to speak with an expert to discuss the findings of the Certified Gaslighting report and the dangers of gas certification, or to receive a copy of the report under embargo until June 18.
Note: “Certified gas” received a big blow this week in Colorado, where the Public Utilities Commission rejected a gas utility’s inclusion of the scam in their Clean Heat Plan, concluding there were significant concerns regarding whether it would achieve additional greenhouse gas reductions.
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