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Capturing the Fugitives: Reducing Methane Emissions from Natural Gas

World Resources Institute: The rapid expansion of natural gas development in the United States has been a double-edged sword. While natural gas supporters are quick to point out its economic benefits and green attributes--natural gas produces roughly half the carbon dioxide emissions of coal during combustion--this isn’t the whole story. Natural gas comes with environmental consequences, including risks to air and water quality. One risk is “fugitive methane emissions,” potent greenhouse gases that escape into the atmosphere...

A Close Look at Fugitive Methane Emissions from Natural Gas

World Resources Institute: Natural gas is booming in the United States. Production has increased by 20 percent in the last five years, fueled largely by technological advances in shale gas extraction. Other countries--including China--are now studying our experience with this abundant new resource. But the growing role of natural gas in the U.S. energy mix hasn’t come without controversy. Natural gas development poses a variety of environmental risks. In addition to habitat disruption and impacts on local water and air...