Voluntary Methane Reduction Efforts Will Still Fall Short of Methane Reduction Goal

The Clean Air Task Force asserts that the EPA's Methane Challenge Program, which relies on voluntary industry commitments, cannot achieve the U.S. target of a 40-45% reduction in oil and gas methane emissions by 2025. While 41 companies joined as founding members, the program lacks participation from oil and gas exploration and production companies, which are responsible for 73% of the industry's methane emissions. Although 37 Local Distribution Companies representing nearly 60% of natural gas utility customers are participating, the author maintains that voluntary measures are no substitute for strong, nation-wide regulations of existing pollution sources.

• The EPA's Methane Challenge Program is unlikely to meet the Administration's target of reducing oil and gas methane emissions by 40-45% by 2025 because it relies on voluntary efforts for existing sources rather than regulations.
• The effectiveness of the Methane Challenge Program is limited by the absence of oil and gas exploration and production companies among its 41 founding members, despite these companies being responsible for 73% of the industry's methane emissions according to the draft 2016 GHG Inventory.
• The program has seen significant participation from the distribution sector, with 37 Local Distribution Companies representing nearly 60% of U.S. natural gas utility customers committing to best management practices, including the replacement of leaky underground pipelines.

APA

Feldman, L. (2016). Voluntary Methane Reduction Efforts Will Still Fall Short of Methane Reduction Goal. Clean Air Task Force. https://www.catf.us/2016/03/voluntary-methane-reduction-efforts-will-still-fall-short-of-methane-reduction-goal/

Chicago

Feldman, Lesley. Voluntary Methane Reduction Efforts Will Still Fall Short of Methane Reduction Goal. Clean Air Task Force, 2016. https://www.catf.us/2016/03/voluntary-methane-reduction-efforts-will-still-fall-short-of-methane-reduction-goal/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Feldman |first1=Lesley |title=Voluntary Methane Reduction Efforts Will Still Fall Short of Methane Reduction Goal |publisher=Clean Air Task Force |date=31 March 2016 |url=https://www.catf.us/2016/03/voluntary-methane-reduction-efforts-will-still-fall-short-of-methane-reduction-goal/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{feldman2016voluntary, author = {Feldman, Lesley}, title = {{Voluntary Methane Reduction Efforts Will Still Fall Short of Methane Reduction Goal}}, publisher = {Clean Air Task Force}, year = {2016}, month = mar, url = {https://www.catf.us/2016/03/voluntary-methane-reduction-efforts-will-still-fall-short-of-methane-reduction-goal/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }