A Washington State University research team this month will begin quantifying methane leaks on natural gas lines and use the information to estimate a national methane emissions rate for US gas-distribution systems, WSU said Wednesday.
"It is critical to do these careful measurements along the entire natural gas industry supply chain, so that we have a clear understanding of the impact of the industry's greenhouse gas emissions," said Regents professor Brian Lamb, who heads the study. "These are critical questions as our nation faces the challenges of energy, sustainability and climate change."
The team will measure emissions of methane when gas is routed through local service and distribution main pipelines, as well as gas metering and regulating stations, the university said.
The study is part of a two-year research series in which the Environmental Defense Fund is collaborating with the natural gas industry and universities to more accurately characterize and understand methane emissions across the value chain.
National Grid, Pacific Gas and Electric and Southern California Gas -- which are commissioning the study with EDF and the American Gas Association -- are providing access to their gas facilities and equipment for tests in different regions throughout the country. Several companies, including CenterPoint Energy, NW Natural, Questar Gas and Xcel Energy, are participating through AGA and also are providing access to their gas facilities for testing.
"We expect this study to continue to advance the discussion around methane leakage and, to the extent necessary, provide a business case for public utility commissions to better monitor and reduce leaks that lead to methane emissions," said EDF's top environment and climate lawyer Mark Brownstein.
