NASA has released new research proving natural gas can be produced with far fewer methane emissions by taking steps such as improving routine monitoring, increasing frequency of maintenance, and keeping up with repairs. This shows the Obama Administration’s requirements that the oil and gas production industry reduce its emissions were correct, an approach which the Trump Administration sought to end.

NASA discovered this by studying the emission plumes from the Permian Basin natural gas production fields in Texas and New Mexico. The data and analysis permitted scientists to identify sources, estimate causation, and calculate the impact of each source and category of sources.  

The study also underscores the value of NASA earth science research, which the Trump Administration repeatedly sought to eliminate from the agency’s budget, but which the Biden Administration has asked Congress to further expand.