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What is methane?
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas. It’s emitted during the production and transport of fossil fuels, like natural gas, coal, and oil. The largest sources of methane are livestock and other agricultural practices, leaks from oil and gas operations, and organic waste in landfills. There are proven mitigation strategies for oil and gas operation leaks and landfill methane that can be implemented to reduce emissions.
Methane and climate change
Methane absorbs heat especially well, and it causes warming much faster than carbon dioxide (CO2). This means that methane can do a lot of damage in a short amount of time by accelerating climate change. When we reduce methane, we can quickly reduce warming, which is why cutting methane emissions is such an urgent priority.
How does methane affect our health?
Since methane accelerates global warming, it’s a key driver of all the health harms associated with climate change. But methane isn’t the only thing leaking throughout oil and gas operations: many other harmful air pollutants are also emitted, like volatile organic compounds (such as benzene), nitrogen oxides, and hydrogen sulfide. These “co-pollutants” can have significant health impacts, like increasing the risk of certain forms of cancer; adverse birth outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight; central nervous system toxicity; and respiratory harm, such as exacerbated asthma.
The volatile organic compounds released during oil and gas operations contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, also known as smog, which can harm respiratory systems, aggravating asthma and other lung diseases. Smog exposure has also been linked to increased risk of heart attacks, hospital visits, and adverse birth outcomes.
Methane and environmental justice
Communities of color are unequally impacted by both climate change and air pollution. Nearly 18 million individuals live within 1 mile of active oil and gas wells, including disproportionately large numbers of Black and Brown communities and people living below the poverty line. Historically underserved communities are also more likely to be exposed to greater densities of methane gas leaks.
Methane leaks: A major problem
Methane leaks happen across the oil and gas supply chain. Oil and gas operations emit 16 million metric tons of methane annually, the equivalent of the climate pollution from all the nation’s passenger vehicles in a year. Another potent source of methane pollution is small oil and gas wells with leak-prone equipment. These are responsible for approximately half of the methane emitted from all well sites in the U.S., while contributing only 6% of the nation’s oil and gas. Many of these small, low-producing oil and gas wells are located in the Appalachian region, which stretches across states like Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania. Other hot spots include Texas, New Mexico, the Great Plains, California, and the Rocky Mountains.
In addition to leaks, methane from oil and gas operations can be emitted through flaring and venting. Flaring is the routine burning of unwanted gases—a wasteful practice. Venting is when methane and other harmful pollutants are released directly into the air at certain times (such as during maintenance). Beyond methane, other harmful air pollution can be found wherever oil and gas are being drilled, compressed, processed, or transported through pipelines.
How can we fix the methane problem?
We have the technology to reduce methane emissions. The solutions are straightforward and cost-effective—often as simple as fixing pipe leaks at oil and gas wells or closing lids on leaky tanks.
In December 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule that will sharply reduce emissions of methane and other harmful air pollution from oil and gas operations, including from existing sources nationwide. States must develop implementation plans to meet the new standards. EPA will create plans for states that don’t meet the federal standard. In addition to the rule, a variety of federal legislation, including a methane fee program, is now in place to help encourage swift action by industry. EPA is also looking at additional sources of methane in sectors beyond the oil and gas industries, including landfills.
Join Moms Clean Air Force in advocating for strong federal methane protections across all sectors to protect our families and communities.
Learn more about Moms’ work on methane.
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Updated: October 2024