• Barack Obama Pledges to Slash National Methane Emissions by 50%

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Barack Obama Pledges to Slash National Methane Emissions by 50%

Feb 15 2015

America is one of the world’s largest producers of methane emissions, with a large chunk churned out by its booming oil and gas industry. In fact, the US is currently the world’s biggest producer of natural gas and by the end of the year it’s set to emerge as the world’s largest oil producer. In 2015 President Barack Obama has announced plans to slash the nation’s methane emissions by almost 50% over the next 10 years.

Obama’s last chance to combat climate change

Overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency, the project is part of Obama’s determination to strengthen his climate legacy and use his last two years in the White House to help America become more eco-friendly. It comes in the wake of his first term cut emissions produced by power plants and the on-road vehicles. As well as having the best interests of the planet at heart Obama is also determined to make good on his pledge to reduce 2005 greenhouse gas emissions by 17% come 2020. His pre-election promise also included cuts of 28% by 2025.

David Doniger, Director of the Climate and Clean Air Programme at the Natural Resources Defence Council explains that it’s a huge chance for Obama to boost America’s environmental credentials before he leaves office. “It is the largest opportunity to deal with climate pollution that this administration has not already seized,” he said.

According to White House officials the plan will see the Environmental Protection Agency cut methane emissions by at least 45% by 2025. While it’s not yet been confirmed whether the new legislation will affect prevailing oil and gas developments they will definitely be applied to new installations. As well as encompassing official Environmental Protection Agency regulations the plan will also offer oil and gas companies access to specially developed voluntary guidelines.

The oil and gas industry: An environmental nightmare!

Scientific research has proven that after carbon dioxide, methane is the world’s second largest cause of climate change. When analysed over a period of 20 years it is 87 times more destructive than greenhouse gas, an alarming figure that demonstrates the immediate need to slash emissions wherever possible. As a key emitter of methane the oil and gas industry is the ideal place to start.

Leaking equipment, ineffective casing on fracking wells, extensive pipeline networks and degrading infrastructure are some of the major culprits behind the industry’s high emissions. Insider information has revealed that the new regulations will have a strong focus on sealing leaks.  

A ticking clock…

It’s an idealistic vision yet time is running out, with new EPA regulations pushing a deadline of 2016. Obama will also have to fight opposition from Republicans in Congress. 

“It is the largest thing left, and it’s the most cost-effective thing they can do that they haven’t done already, said Doniger. “All the signs are there that they intend to step forward on that.”

The White House is optimistic yet whether or not the new plans will actually come to light remains to be seen.

Analytical solutions

The rapid development of natural gas from unconventional sources in North America has created an energy ‘gold rush’ not seen in contemporary times. However, in the process of drilling the wells and preparing them for production (including ‘fracking’ to optimise production), opportunities arise for contamination of the clean drinking water aquifers with methane and other low molecular weight organics. An analytical solution to quantifying this contamination is discussed in this article: Methane, Ethylene, and Ethane in Water by Headspace-Gas Chromatography (HS-GC) with Flame Ionisation Detection (FID)


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