NM - Gas Flaring/Venting More Than Doubled In 2 Yrs; Equivalent To Keeping San Juan Coal Plant Open
The amount of methane released into the atmosphere or burned in the Permian Basin has more than doubled since 2017, suggests a new report from an advisory panel assembled by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
At a time when a state oil and gas industry group points to federal data showing declining methane emissions overall, a report from the Methane Advisory Panel indicates more methane and carbon dioxide waste is being vented and burned than ever.
According to the report, venting and flaring accounts for about 30 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions from oil and gas production in the oil-rich Permian Basin, which spans West Texas and New Mexico. The report lays out comprehensive technical recommendations meant to guide environmental regulators as they craft a new methane rule involving everything from leaks in oil and gas storage tanks to pneumatic pumps.
If venting and flaring continue unmitigated, the resulting emissions would be roughly equivalent to continuing to operate the coal-fired San Juan Generating Station near Farmington, the report said. Methane is 86 times more potent than carbon dioxide, and venting and flaring account for a large portion of methane and carbon dioxide emissions.
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https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/report-methane-venting-flaring-in-permian-doubled-since/article_819dc5ac-3313-11ea-96ff-3f3802aff8b0.html