July 16, 2021
Methane (CH4) emissions in the US dropped to 642 Mt CO2 eq. in 2016 down from 708 Mt CO2 in 2000.
In 2017, methane emissions started to grow again and reach 660 Mt CO2 eq., partially due to tight oil and shale gas development.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established voluntary methane programs for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry (STAR: Science To Achieve Results) to adopt cost-effective technologies and practices that improve operational efficiency and reduce methane emissions. The EPA also runs the Coalbed Methane Outreach Program (CMOP) for coal mining, as well as the AgSTAR program for agriculture and Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP).