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A study commissioned by the Clean Air Task Force and conducted by Carbon Limits finds that finding and fixing natural gas leaks is a cost-effective strategy for reducing methane pollution. Based on data from over 4,000 inspections, the analysis shows that repairing most leaks is profitable for companies because the value of the conserved gas outweighs the repair costs. Quarterly LDAR surveys are estimated to abate methane at a net cost of less than $280 per metric ton, while monthly inspections at well sites and gas plants cost between $800 and $900 per metric ton—both figures remaining below the EPA's estimated societal damage cost of $970 per metric ton of methane. The document argues that current US federal regulations are insufficient, as only gas processing plants built since 1984 are required to perform leak inspections, and advocates for more robust federal rules based on the empirical evidence of low abatement costs.

The Clean Air Task Force argues that new infrastructure investments in the U.S. must prioritize clean diesel technology to reduce severe health risks and climate impacts. Diesel pollution is linked to 21,000 premature deaths annually in the U.S., and construction equipment accounts for over 37 percent of land-based particulate matter. The document proposes that combining diesel particulate filters with ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel can eliminate over 90 percent of particulate pollution, offering a high return on investment where every dollar spent avoids $12 in health damages.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) argues that while the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) are projected to reduce U.S. emissions by just over 40% by 2030 relative to 2005 levels, additional federal policy is required to reach net-zero emissions by midcentury. CATF is advocating for several specific policy interventions, including a zero-carbon fuel standard, revised siting and permitting for clean energy infrastructure, and a federal electricity procurement model requiring 24-7 zero-emission clean electricity. The organization is also focusing on supporting advanced nuclear supply chains, reducing methane from oil, gas, and agriculture, and developing regulatory structures for hydrogen infrastructure. To implement these strategies and expand its policy expertise, CATF seeks $25 million in funding over the next five years.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) is working to advance the understanding of how forests mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration and other mechanisms, such as reducing urban heat and oxidizing methane. The program emphasizes sustainable forest management and provides specific guidance on the use of woody biomass in the northeastern US to reduce greenhouse gases over a 20-30 year horizon.

The document details the methodology for calculating SO2 control costs, estimates the health and monetary benefits of a tighter emission cap alternative (CATF 16) compared to the EPA's IAQR, and argues that sufficient boilermaker labor exists to implement these controls by 2010.

The Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) provides billions of dollars for the research, development, and demonstration of zero-carbon technologies, including carbon capture, clean hydrogen, advanced nuclear, and grid expansion. While the IIJA establishes a technological foundation, the document asserts that the Build Back Better Act is required to provide the incentives and tax credits necessary for the U.S. to reach 50-52% economy-wide emissions reductions by 2030.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 significantly increases the 45Q tax credit, raising incentives to $85/tonne for industrial and power generation facilities and $180/tonne for direct air capture (DAC) when stored in saline geologic formations. These updates lower the capture thresholds for credit eligibility—reducing the industrial requirement from 100,000 to 12,500 tonnes of CO2 per year and the DAC requirement to 1,000 tonnes per year—while extending the construction window to January 1, 2033. The document argues that these incentives make carbon capture more accessible for hard-to-abate sectors like steel, cement, and refineries. Additionally, it recommends that Germany develop a National Carbon Management Strategy, financial incentives such as carbon contracts for difference (CCfD), and a business case for negative emission technologies to ensure industrial decarbonization and global competitiveness.

The US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has significantly increased 45Q tax credits for carbon capture and storage (CCS) and direct air capture (DAC), lowering entry thresholds for industrial emitters and extending project start dates to January 1, 2033. The document suggests Germany should adopt a national carbon management strategy, financial incentives like Carbon Contracts for Difference (CCfDs), and business models for negative emission technologies to support its industrial decarbonization.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) has established a Land & Climate Program to address the complexities of land competition and its role as both a source and sink of greenhouse gas emissions. The program focuses on three pillars: Ecosystem-Based Carbon Removal, Climate-Beneficial Bioenergy, and Land-Smart Clean Energy Deployment. CATF intends to create a global hub of scholars and organizations to map land conflicts and develop solutions. While currently most active in the U.S., the program is expanding into Europe and focusing on forested areas in the Global South. To implement these strategies, CATF is seeking $2.5 million per year for the next three years.

The Clean Air Task Force argues that the U.S. oil and gas sector must reduce methane emissions by 65% by 2025 to align with global goals for limiting warming to 1.5°C. Without further action, emissions are projected to reach nearly 12 million metric tons by 2025. The proposal focuses on three primary areas: implementing monthly leak detection and repair (LDAR) or continuous monitoring to address leaks and super-emitters; replacing gas-driven pneumatic equipment with non-emitting alternatives; and implementing additional controls on storage tanks, well completions, compressors, and flaring. Together, these measures would reduce emissions by almost eight million tons per year, a benefit the author compares to replacing 150 million gasoline cars with zero-carbon electric vehicles. The document also advocates for a national policy to supplement existing state-level regulations in Colorado, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) aims to reduce anthropogenic methane emissions from agriculture, fossil fuels, and waste to slow global warming. The strategy focuses on driving global action via policy and markets, developing cross-cutting capacity for funding and research, and strengthening multilateral commitments like the Global Methane Pledge. CATF seeks $25.5 million over three years to expand its technical, policy, and communications teams to implement these goals.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) is seeking $10 million over five years to implement a strategy for decarbonization in the Middle East. The initiative focuses on transitioning the region away from unabated fossil fuels, diversifying economies, and establishing a shared climate vision among Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. Key objectives include reducing methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030 and deploying technologies such as carbon management, zero-carbon fuels, and nuclear energy.

The document argues that large-scale deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) is essential for the EU to reach climate neutrality by 2050, with estimates suggesting a need to capture between 490 and 600 million tonnes of CO2 annually by that date. It highlights that current deployment is significantly below the required trajectory due to inadequate policies and a lack of storage sites outside the North Sea. The brief advocates for the development of shared CO2 transport and storage 'hubs' and cross-border networks to reduce costs for industrial emitters, particularly in Southern, Central, and Eastern Europe. It specifically urges EU Member States to use the 2023-2024 NECP revision process to detail funding commitments, deployment targets, and storage capacity to align with the Net Zero Industry Act's target of 50 million tonnes of annual injection capacity by 2030.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) is leading a project to reform the incentive and reward ecosystem for carbon-free energy (CFE) procurement. The initiative aims to move beyond limited renewable energy standards toward metrics that accurately reflect carbon impact, targeting the buying power of corporations, governments, and utilities. Key activities include updating GHG accounting standards, supporting pilot transactions, and helping federal agencies implement Executive Order 14057 to achieve 50% 24/7 CFE by 2030.

The document advocates for the use of nuclear energy orderbooks in Europe to avoid the inefficiencies of fragmented deployment. It explains that by shifting from design evolution to design standardisation and serial replication, the EU can leverage 'learning by doing' effects to lower average unit costs, strengthen supply chains, and overcome regulatory and financing barriers.

The Porthos project is a pioneer CCS initiative designed to transport and store CO2 from the Port of Rotterdam in depleted gas fields under the North Sea. It is presented as a critical component for the Netherlands to meet its target of reducing CO2 emissions by 55% by 2030, as the industrial sector must reduce emissions by 60% in that timeframe. Porthos is expected to provide approximately 17% of the total intended industrial CO2 reduction for 2030 and address 11% of the Port of Rotterdam's emissions. The project's infrastructure is designed for a capacity of 10 Mt CO2 per year, with a projected total storage of 37 million tonnes over 15 years. However, the project's commencement depends on a final decision by the Raad van State regarding nitrogen emission impacts on Natura 2000 areas.

The report argues that the Arctic is warming twice as fast as lower latitudes, with black carbon and methane having a disproportionate impact. It proposes that the U.S., during its 2015-2017 Arctic Council Chairmanship, should champion best practices in the oil and gas sector, advocate for a heavy fuel oil ban in shipping, promote clean energy for residential heating, and implement strategies to curb open burning.

The document assesses the environmental and economic impacts of flaring associated gas in the Bakken and Eagle Ford formations, concluding that routine flaring is unnecessary due to the availability of mature alternatives like CNG trucking, NGL recovery, and gas-to-power generation. It argues that current regulations, such as those in North Dakota, are inadequate and calls for robust nationwide standards from the BLM and EPA to mandate gas capture.

Superhot rock energy involves injecting water into deep, dry rock (above 400°C) to extract thermal energy for power, heat, or fuels. It offers higher energy density than conventional geothermal, with single-well potentials of 35 MW or more compared to 3-5 MW. The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) aims for commercial demonstration this decade, suggesting that $5+ billion in investment over ten years could prove its commercial potential and lead to 'geothermal everywhere' by mid-century.

The document details the geological composition and tectonic setting of the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland, highlighting its location at a divergent plate boundary. It provides statistics on superhot rock (SHR) drilling, specifically the IDDP-2 well, and describes the operations of the existing Reykjanes geothermal power station.