A new study from the Environmental Defense Fund indicates that 72% of methane emissions in the Permian Basin come from small sources (leaks rather than major ruptures or releases) <https://apnews.com/article/methane-gas-texas-permian-basin-satellite-climate-81b9cfea311275806c6fbf8621f821c2>. This is a sign of progress, though it means further improvements will be more labor intensive. Methane has significant climate change impacts, and while not toxic itself, it can lead to increased human exposures to ozone and other toxic chemicals created due to reactions in the atmosphere. Reducing methane emissions will have concrete health benefits to people who live nearby.
My group is currently working on a study of Marcellus area air emissions including methane, NOx, SOx, and PM. While the number of wells is less than in the Permian, this remains a significant source of regional air emissions. We hope to publish results later in 2025.
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