Beyer, Lamborn Introduce Legislation to Improve Methane Capture

Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA) and Doug Lamborn (R-CO) today introduced legislation to improve methane capture by addressing gaps in methane monitoring and improving interagency coordination.

"Innovative technologies are available to mitigate or capture methane leakage, but a primary challenge is finding and tracking those leaks," said Rep. Don Beyer. "Our legislation would facilitate the identification of methane leaks, and ensure timely and effective mitigation efforts."

"I am pleased to cosponsor this bipartisan legislation. The Methane Monitoring Science Act is vital for us to begin addressing the gap in methane monitoring conditions," said Rep. Doug Lamborn. "This bill is also essential to improving interagency collaboration and strengthening our methane reduction efforts."

The Methane Monitoring Science Act would direct the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to commission a science-based strategy from the National Academies for the federal government to detect and monitor methane emissions. The strategy would include:

• Examination of current and future greenhouse gas monitoring capabilities,
• Assessment of monitoring capability gaps,
• Consideration of means to facilitate interagency collaboration and external partnerships,
• Consideration of how federal science agencies could operationalize methane emissions data to support methane mitigation efforts, and
• A plan for the rapid adoption of advanced technologies and methodologies into current and future regulations.

Text of the Methane Monitoring Science Act is available here.