Reducing Methane Emissions from Natural Gas Development: Strategies for State-level Policymakers

The document argues that reducing natural gas leakage to 1% or less of total production is a cost-effective and achievable benchmark that ensures natural gas remains less climate-intensive than coal, diesel, and gasoline. It emphasizes that the rapid increase in US natural gas production, driven by hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling, necessitates state and federal regulation across the supply chain to address climate and air quality concerns. The paper offers practical solutions, case studies, and model rules to help state officials structure policies and comply with Clean Air Act standards.

• Limiting natural gas leakage to 1% or less of total production is a cost-effective and attainable goal that maintains the climate advantage of natural gas over coal for electricity and diesel or gasoline for transport.
• The combination of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing has expanded natural gas production areas and altered the US energy landscape, creating environmental challenges that threaten the industry's social license to operate.
• US marketed natural gas production grew by 44% between 2005 and 2014, with a further projected increase of approximately 30% by 2040, necessitating urgent action on air, water, and climate impacts.
• Effective methane emission regulation requires a coordinated approach across the entire supply chain at both state and federal levels.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). Reducing Methane Emissions from Natural Gas Development: Strategies for State-level Policymakers. https://www.wri.org/research/reducing-methane-emissions-natural-gas-development-strategies-state-level-policymakers

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Reducing Methane Emissions from Natural Gas Development: Strategies for State-level Policymakers. n.d. https://www.wri.org/research/reducing-methane-emissions-natural-gas-development-strategies-state-level-policymakers.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Reducing Methane Emissions from Natural Gas Development: Strategies for State-level Policymakers |url=https://www.wri.org/research/reducing-methane-emissions-natural-gas-development-strategies-state-level-policymakers |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendreducing, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Reducing Methane Emissions from Natural Gas Development: Strategies for State-level Policymakers}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/reducing-methane-emissions-natural-gas-development-strategies-state-level-policymakers}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }