by Howard Cincotta
Special to the Department of State

October 31 – Methane gas has an image problem. Not only can it be hazardous; as a greenhouse gas it is 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Methane (CH₄) is the second most prevalent greenhouse gas in the atmosphere after carbon dioxide (CO₂) – and far more efficient at trapping heat.

On the positive side, however, methane only persists in the atmosphere for 12 years or so – meaning that global reduction efforts can have substantial and measurable effects on atmospheric concentrations of methane over the short term. In addition, many proven, cost-effective technical options for capturing and using the gas already exist – whether from an anthracite coal mine in Shanxi Province, China; a solid-waste landfill in Mumbai, India; or a methane system for livestock facilities in Granjas Carroll de Mexico.

Global Partners

Internationally, the chief mechanism for the transformation of methane’s image is the Methane to Markets Partnership (M2M), a global collaboration of 21 governments to date, including the United States of America, along with more than 630 public and private organizations and companies around the world. By focusing on four key areas – landfills, underground coal mines, livestock, and oil and gas systems – the partnership works to break down economic barriers, provide information and expertise, and deploy cost-effective technologies for recovering methane gas and using it as a clean energy source.

In a recent report, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated that by 2015 the M2M Partnership could potentially reduce annual emissions by 50 million metric tons of carbon equivalent. This would equal production of 500 billion cubic feet of natural gas annually, emissions of 33 million vehicles – or the planting of 55 million trees.

Beijing Expo

More than 90 projects are being showcased at the Methane to Markets Partnership Expo in Beijing October 30 to November 1, the first international forum of its kind devoted to methane issues. The Expo is attracting more than 500 participants from 30 countries, who will explore new promising technologies and ideas for cost-effective methane capture and use. If all 90 Expo projects are funded and implemented, according to EPA, they will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 11.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent each year by 2015 – equaling the annual greenhouse gas emissions of 2.1 million automobiles.

Among the major corporate supporters of the Beijing Expo is Caterpillar, Inc., manufacturer of construction equipment and engines, which is providing 60 methane-gas-powered generators and other equipment for the Sihe Coal Mine in Shanxi Province, China, site of the world’s largest coal mine methane power plant.

"Economic growth, energy security and climate change must be addressed in an integrated way," said James Connaughton, chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, on a visit to the Sihe mines in 2007. "These coal methane plants are excellent examples of how to increase energy use in an environmentally responsible way."

Leaks and Landfills

Reducing greenhouse gases is an international priority, but the key element of M2M is the recognition that methane can be converted from a costly problem to a profitable enterprise – whether dealing with manure from large-scale cattle and hog operations or venting methane from underground coal mines to prevent explosions.

Even something as mundane as detecting and repairing gas leaks in oil and natural gas systems can save substantial amounts of money for an enterprise. In Ukraine, for example, Cherkasytransgas has 35,000 kilometers of gas pipeline and has engaged in methane emissions reductions projects supported by the M2M Partnership.

U.S. Role

The United States has led efforts to plan and implement a wide array of methane projects through workshops and training, database and information gathering, economic analysis and market development, feasibility studies, and technology demonstration projects.

At the launch of M2M, the United States pledged $53 million over five years to support the partnership and to advance methane recovery and use projects. According to EPA, more than $18 million in direct support has now been committed for the first two years of the partnership (2005-2006).

"The Methane to Markets Partnership is serving as a catalyst to fight climate change and secure new sources of clean energy," says John Beale, a senior official in EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. "The United States is working with partners across the globe to leverage public and private sector investments that are resulting in significant, near-term reductions in greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing economic growth."

For more information, see Methane to Markets Partnership and Methane to Markets Expo.