Mandate Stronger Methane Controls for Oil and Gas Operations

MethaneSAT satellite data from its year of operation reveals that actual methane emissions from oil and gas operations are 50% higher than figures reported in the U.S. EPA's Greenhouse Gas Inventory. This discrepancy stems from the satellite's ability to detect smaller, diffuse emissions from leaky pipelines, aging infrastructure, and low-producing wells that standard inventories miss entirely. California's San Joaquin Valley is among the worst-performing basins measured globally. The satellite data proves that strong regulations work. In the Delaware sub-basin of the Permian, New Mexico's side with strong state methane regulations showed methane intensity less than half that of the Texas side, which lacks comparable state regulations. This demonstrates that regulatory action directly reduces emissions. Even the best-performing U.S. basins still exceeded the voluntary emissions intensity goal set by the Oil and Gas Decarbonization Charter. The San Joaquin Valley's performance falls very far short of this already-exceeded benchmark, making immediate action essential. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas with far greater warming potential than carbon dioxide so I urge you to support legislation mandating comprehensive methane controls for California's oil and gas operations. This must include requirements for capping old wells, repairing aging infrastructure, fixing leaky pipelines, and holding companies financially responsible for remediation. The MethaneSAT data provides the evidence base that voluntary industry commitments have failed to deliver results. California has an opportunity implement strong state regulations to cut methane emissions. Our climate and communities deserve nothing less.