Methane emissions from venting and flaring up 135 percent from 2008 to 2013, study finds

Methane emissions on federal land from venting and flaring increased 135 percent between 2008 and 2013, says a report by the Center for American Progress. Emissions increased each year from 2008 to 2013, which is "a contrast to Environmental Protection Agency data that show methane emissions from natural gas production in all areas declining in recent years," Timothy Cama reports for The Hill.

"CAP found that venting and flaring are responsible for about 40 percent of total methane emissions throughout the natural gas production and refining process," Cama writes.

Matt Lee-Ashley, director of CAP’s public lands project, said in a statement: “The rising volume of taxpayer-owned gas that is being wasted is not only costing tens of millions of dollars in lost royalty payments but it’s putting dangerous amounts of methane pollution into our air. Industry should be required to use readily available technology to reduce methane pollution and to pay royalties on any taxpayer-owned gas that is wasted." (Read more) (CAP graphic)