There is a lot in this article on methane leaks in the production and distribution of natural gas, from the New York Times, here: (http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/12/business/energy-environment/future-of-natural-gas-hinges-on-stanching-methane-leaks.html?ref=business)
The problem:
“But when natural gas escapes unburned, as it often does during production and distribution, it is a big troublemaker. Its essential component, methane, is particularly pernicious — a greenhouse gas that is more than 80 times as potent as carbon dioxide over 20 years as it dissipates.”
The industry responds:
“Without explicitly endorsing new rules, Southwestern Energy — the No. 3 natural gas producer in the United States after Exxon Mobil and Chesapeake Energy — is among several prominent companies that agree that more methane controls are necessary.
Southwestern is helping to lead an industry group, One Future, which aims to reduce methane leakage to less than 1 percent of total national gas production. Some estimates put the current amount at nearly twice that level or more. Other members of the group include Apache, BHP Billiton, Hess, Kinder Morgan and AGL Resources.
“Natural gas is a natural bridge to a low-carbon future, but if it’s a rickety bridge that leaks methane, why would you take that bridge?” said Mark K. Boling, executive vice president of Southwestern, which is based in Houston. “The Paris climate accord tells us we have got to do something about this.’’”
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