EPA Has Underestimated Methane Emissions, Including Those from Gas Leaks -- Study

In recent years, as the natural gas boom has led to the fuel playing an increasing role in the U.S. energy mix, a debate has been raging over its climate benefits.

A number of studies measuring emissions of methane, a key component of natural gas with 30 times the warming potential of CO2, have measured significant leakages of the gas.

If such leaks are common, the climate benefits of burning natural gas rather than coal diminish.

"Methane is a potent greenhouse gas," said Adam Brandt, a Stanford University professor who studies methane leaks.  "So relatively small leaks can have a significant impact on the overall greenhouse gas intensity of using natural gas."

EPA Has Underestimated Methane Emissions, Including Those from Gas Leaks -- Study