Methane is far less abundant in the atmosphere than natural gas, but it is exponentially more efficient at trapping heat. That makes reducing methane emissions one of the primary challenges in containing global warming.
This week, Peoples Gas of Pittsburgh announced a first-of-its kind project that ultimately could play a major role in diminishing methane emissions, to the benefit not only of the environment but consumers.
In a partnership with the Environmental Defense Fund, Colorado State University and Google Earth Outreach, Peoples plans to reduce by 50 percent, this year, the amount of methane leaking from its 950 miles of gas distribution pipes in Pittsburgh. Once it has that data in hand, it will determine whether to extend the program to 17 other counties.
Because methane is so potent, failure to capture it diminishes the benefits of the ongoing growth natural gas as the go-to fuel to replace coal. And, ever since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1936 that gas leaks are “unavoidable,” every state requires consumers to pay utilities for lost gas. As of 2014, according to the Environmental Protection Agency inspector general, consumers paid $194 million a year for methane that leaked into the atmosphere.
Stopping distribution-system leaks is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce the amount of methane entering the atmosphere. If the Peoples project proves effective, state and federal regulators should require similar programs from all gas utilities.