THE GAS INDEX

The Gas Index finds that methane leakage across the U.S. natural gas supply chain is significantly more extensive than EPA estimates, particularly within city distribution systems and buildings. The report argues that replacing gas heating with electric heat pumps would reduce emissions in every city evaluated, with the greatest benefits occurring where electricity grids are decarbonized.

• Methane leakage across the U.S. natural gas supply chain is substantially higher than the estimates provided in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Greenhouse Gas Inventory. All 71 cities evaluated in the Gas Index showed higher life cycle leakage rates than the EPA's estimates, with some exceeding them by more than four times.
• Leakage from production areas is the largest single contributor to methane emissions in the oil and gas system. The Gas Index estimates an average leakage rate of 2.3% in production areas, based on studies covering approximately 90% of gas production in the contiguous U.S.
• City-level infrastructure is a major source of leakage, with distribution mains estimated to leak nearly five times more than EPA figures. Additionally, commercial sector gas meters were found to leak approximately six times more than EPA estimates, with a rate of about 0.5% of all gas passing through them.
• The report identifies 'behind-the-meter' leakage—emissions from pipes and appliances within buildings—as a significant source often omitted from national inventories. Research indicates residential buildings leak around 0.5% of consumed gas, while commercial buildings leak about 0.25%.
• Switching from natural gas heating to electric heat pumps would result in emissions reductions in every city evaluated by the Gas Index. These reductions are further amplified if the electricity sector meets existing city and state commitments for 100% clean electricity.

APA

Global Energy Monitor (2020). THE GAS INDEX. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/Gas-Index-report-2020_11.pdf

Chicago

Global Energy Monitor. THE GAS INDEX. 2020. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/Gas-Index-report-2020_11.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Global Energy Monitor |title=THE GAS INDEX |date=15 December 2020 |url=https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/Gas-Index-report-2020_11.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{globalenergymonitor2020gas, author = {{Global Energy Monitor}}, title = {{THE GAS INDEX}}, institution = {Global Energy Monitor}, year = {2020}, month = dec, url = {https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/Gas-Index-report-2020_11.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }