US to offer $350mn in grants to address oil & gas methane emissions

The US is providing $350mn in grant funding to help monitor and reduce methane emissions in the oil and gas sector and environmentally restore well sites, the department of energy (DoE) said on August 30.

“Thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, DoE’s partnership with EPA will bolster our national efforts to monitor and mitigate methane emissions from the oil and gas sector – our largest source of industrial methane – while helping revitalise energy communities and delivering long-lasting health and environmental benefits across the country,” Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator Michael Regan commented.

The DoE and EPA plan to announce competitive opportunities to secure the funding following a non-competitive solicitation. They have also partnered to provide the industry with technical assistance to monitor and reduce methane emissions from leaks and daily operations. The deadline for states to apply for the grants is September 30.

“This combination of technical and financial assistance is expected to help improve efficiency of US oil and gas operations and provide new economic opportunities in energy communities, as well as realise near-term emission reductions,” the DoE said.