The energy industry is substantially reducing methane emissions from natural gas and oil production and is expected to continue reducing emissions, says an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report released September 30, 2014.

According to the EPA, reported methane emissions from the petroleum and natural gas systems sector have decreased by 12 percent since 2011, with the largest reductions coming from hydraulically fractured natural gas wells, which have decreased by 73 percent during that period.

This EPA report is proof that innovations in hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling have propelled the U.S. to lead the world in producing natural gas and reducing greenhouse emissions.