John,

It’s not good news.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), global methane emissions soared by a record amount in 2021, far exceeding the previous record set in 2020.

In a recent statement, NOAA said, “Atmospheric methane measured jumped 17 parts per billion (ppb) in 2021, the largest since systematic measurements began in 1983. The increase during 2020 was 15.3 ppb."

As a SEEC PAC supporter, you likely know methane is the second biggest contributor to human-related global warming after carbon dioxide. And in some ways it is worse than carbon dioxide, as it is 25 times more potent at trapping heat, though it does not last in the atmosphere for as long. This combination means that if we want to meet our near-term climate goals, we need to reduce our methane emissions immediately.

Much of the methane we produce comes from oil and natural gas production, particularly shale gas drilling. Though, methane is also emitted by livestock farming, landfills, and wetlands.

Climate experts and scientists emphasize controlling methane emissions because of the relative ease of stopping methane from escaping from oil and gas wells and leaking from pipelines.

But as of now, international Big Oil companies are actively pumping out methane in the Permian Basin in Texas and New Mexico. And as if we needed further evidence that we need to stop purchasing oil and gas from Russia – the country is one of the biggest culprits of methane emissions, with aging pipelines stretching 2,500 miles to reach European consumers.

Since 2020, approximately 100 countries have signed on to a Global Methane Pledge to cut emissions by 2030. But two of the worst offenders — Russia and China — refuse to join.

John, will you join SEEC members of Congress who are working to hold Big Oil and Gas and nations like Russia and China fully accountable for not committing to reducing methane emissions in line with the Global Methane Pledge?

In the fight to tackle climate change, reducing methane emissions from oil and gas is one of the more manageable tasks. It’s past time for Big Oil, China, and Russia to get with the program.

Thank you for supporting our SEEC members.

– SEEC PAC