U.S., International Partners Pledge Faster Greenhouse Gas Reductions
Washington - U.S. government officials and their counterparts in 16
countries committed to accelerated action to recover and use methane
as a clean energy source at the second annual Methane to Markets
Partnership meeting, which concluded Nov. 4.
"We're making substantial progress in developing the programs and
technologies necessary to promote energy security and reduce global
methane emissions," EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Air
and Radiation Bill Wehrum said. "The international collaboration
and action we've seen this week lays the groundwork for additional success."
To date, 17 countries have joined the Methane to Markets Partnership
and committed to advancing cost-effective, near-term methane recovery
and use as a source of clean energy. Methane is a potent greenhouse
gas, 23 times as effective as carbon dioxide at trapping heat in
the earth's atmosphere.
By 2015 the Methane to Markets Partnership has the potential to
deliver annual reductions in methane emissions of up to 50 million
metric tons of carbon equivalent or recovery of 500 billion cubic
feet of natural gas. If these projections are achieved, they could
stabilize or reduce global atmospheric concentrations of methane.
This would be equivalent to cutting the greenhouse gas emissions
of 33 million cars, planting 55 million acres of trees, or
eliminating emissions from 50 500 megawatt coal-fired power
plants; or providing enough energy to heat approximately 7.2
million households for one year
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