On May 13, the Environmental Defense Fund released an updated analysis of Pennsylvania oil and gas methane emissions and found the industry’s methane pollution is estimated to be double what was documented just two years ago.

EDF researchers found that oil and gas operators emit upwards of 1.1 million short tons of methane annually. This is more than 16 times (16.28) higher than what oil and gas companies reported to the Department of Environmental Protection.

“The fact that natural gas operators are emitting well over a million tons of methane pollution each year into the air Pennsylvanians breathe is unacceptable,” said Dan Grossman, senior director of state advocacy at EDF. “The staggering scale of the methane problem in Pennsylvania makes Gov. Wolf’s proposal to reduce emissions from existing oil and gas operations all the more critical.”

DEP announced at a recent Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee that its draft existing source methane rule would be published in mid-to-late spring, kicking off a 60-day public comment period.

“Gov. Tom Wolf and the DEP are to be commended for advancing a methane rule that addresses emissions from the state’s tens of thousands of existing oil and gas wells,” said Grossman. “It’s essential that the state adopt a strong final rule that protects public health and delivers on the governor’s promise to tackle climate change.”

EDF’s Pennsylvania Methane Data Project is based on 2017 production data and emission modeling from a 2018 Science study, which draws on six years of peer-reviewed research conducted by EDF and over 140 research and industry experts from 40 institutions and 50 companies.

The analysis also projects emissions through 2030 using Pennsylvania-specific production projections from Rystad Energy.

Updated emission figures are double EDF's analysis of 2015 data for three primary reasons: production levels in 2017 were notably higher than two years prior (an upward trend that has carried into 2020); use of additional state-specific data provides a more accurate picture of wells in the state and emission sources; and the 2018 Science study provides the best available scientific methods which demonstrate higher levels of emissions per well.

“Tapping into the latest scientific research and best available data has allowed us to more accurately discern the state’s oil and gas methane emissions in a way that best reflects conditions on the ground,” said Hillary Hull, senior manager, research and analytics, EDF.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, human-made emissions of which account for a quarter of the global warming we are currently experiencing.

Climate change can contribute to extreme weather events from floods to longer and hotter summers, which exacerbate air pollution and ozone problems, along with the risk of vector-borne diseases such as Lyme disease and West Nile virus.

Pennsylvania has the highest incidence of Lyme disease in the nation.

Methane is also the primary component of natural gas. The 1.1 million short tons of methane emitted in Pennsylvania equates to 57 billion cubic feet of natural gas that could otherwise be brought to market.

In addition to methane, oil and gas operations were found to emit over 63,000 tons of smog-forming volatile organic compounds. Smog and ozone pollution cause heart disease and worsen respiratory diseases, such as asthma and emphysema.

The Centers for Disease Control has found individuals living with those conditions are more at risk for severe illness from other infections, such as COVID-19.

The data project includes updated statewide and county emission estimates for methane and volatile organic compounds, as well as tools for regulators and policymakers to measure the effectiveness of various emission reduction scenarios.

Click Here for the updated EDF emissions study.

DEP VOC/Methane Regulation

DEP told the Citizens Advisory Council in its written monthly report Tuesday it will publish a proposed volatile organic compound/methane control regulation covering existing oil and gas operations.

Andrew Williams, Director of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs, Environmental Defense Fund commented earlier on DEP's proposed regulation to capture VOC/Methane from existing oil and gas operations saying, "the proposed rule, if not fixed, will be the least protective methane rule in the country. Pennsylvania is the second largest natural gas producing state in the nation.

"The rule as currently drafted would capture only 21 percent of methane emissions. A 2018 report by Environmental Defense Fund estimated that emissions of methane, a potent climate forcing agent, from Pennsylvania’s oil and gas industry are up to five times higher than what is reported to DEP, or potentially 520,000 tons per year. DEP’s current draft focuses almost entirely on volatile organic compounds (VOCs), not methane.

“The scope of DEP’s air emissions rule needs to be expanded – capturing only 21 percent of methane emissions leaves far too much pollution on the table and in our air. Simply removing the threshold for low-producing wells will allow for much more methane capture. DEP has got to get this right if Pennsylvania is to meaningfully reduce greenhouse gas emissions and tackle climate change as directed by Gov. Wolf in his executive order earlier this year.”

Visit DEP’s Methane Reductions webpage for more information on the regulation.

Related Articles:

DEP Citizens Advisory Council Holds Virtual Meeting May 19 On Carbon Pollution Reduction Program

PA AFL-CIO Encourages Caution In Consideration Of PA RGGI Carbon Pollution Reduction Program For Power Plants

[Posted: May 13, 2020]

5/18/2020