Casten Introduces Bill to Mitigate Methane Emissions
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06), along with co-sponsors Representatives Scott Peters (CA-50), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), and Jamaal Bowman (NY-16) introduced the Methane Emissions Mitigation Research and Development Act to create a program for methane emissions detection and mitigation research, as well as development and demonstration for technologies and methods that would detect and mitigate emissions.
Methane is one of the leading contributors to greenhouse gasses and has 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide, with up to 30% of today’s global warming being driven by methane from human actions. As the United States is the world’s leading producer of oil and gas, there is a unique opportunity to lead the global community in reducing methane emissions.
The Methane Emissions Mitigation Research and Development Act, in alignment with the EPA’s recent methane rule, also recognizes and encourages innovation. New technologies like the recently announced Environmental Defense Fund’s methane monitoring satellite project MethaneSAT, are the types of projects this bill would aim to stimulate.
“Cutting methane emissions is one of the most effective ways we can fight climate change,” said Rep. Casten. “This bill will implement lasting changes to transition to a clean energy future, provide opportunities for innovation to mitigate methane emissions, and get us on the path to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.”
“Controlling methane is key to slowing global warming and ensuring American energy is as clean as possible as we continue to transition to a clean energy future,” said Rep. Peters. “Our legislation will support new innovative technologies to detect and reduce methane emissions, while providing significant resources to respond to methane leaks. It also gives every level of government – from local to state to federal – the help needed to combat climate change through proactive methane reductions.”
“The climate crisis is one of the greatest threats we face, and vulnerable communities bear the brunt of environmental degradation and long-standing injustices,” said Rep. McClellan. “We must continue to take decisive steps to curb harmful emissions and protect our planet. I am excited to help introduce the Methane Emissions Mitigation Research and Development Act to provide us with the tools to meaningfully address this problem.”
“Methane mitigation and abatement strategies are critical efforts to address the urgency of climate change within our lifetimes. I’m proud to co-sponsor Representative Casten’s Methane Emissions Mitigation Research and Development Act,’’ said Rep. Mullin. “I represent California’s 15thCongressional District, the epicenter of America’s innovation economy and home to many companies working on emerging climate technology. This legislation represents the crucial need for federal investments in research and development to create new technologies that can mitigate the worst impacts of climate change while ensuring that America leads the way in methane reduction strategies.’’
“APS applauds Representative Casten for his leadership to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas industry, a significant contributor to climate change highlighted in the 2022 joint APS-Optica methane emissions report. Mr. Casten's bill addresses research and technology gaps currently preventing effective monitoring and prevention of methane leaks, which is a crucial step towards fulfilling our greenhouse gas reduction goals,” said Young-Kee Kim, President, American Physical Society.
The bill has been endorsed by the American Physical Society.
Text of the bill can be found here.
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