The Western Governor’s Association, including Wyoming Governor Matt Mead, passed a resolution this weekend saying the energy industry needs to reduce methane leakage. Methane is the main component of natural gas. The resolution says methane leaks are a serious financial and environmental problem.
Every molecule that doesn't get wasted and sent up into the atmosphere stays in the pipe and can go and make money
Jon Goldstein is the Environmental Defense Fund’s Senior Policy Manager. He says leaks should be a concern not only for people worried about the environment, but also companies looking at the bottom line.
"Every molecule that doesn’t get wasted and sent up into the atmosphere stays in the pipe and can go and make money for the company and for the state and for the mineral holder," says Goldstein
Wyoming doesn’t have any laws in place to address methane leakage. The resolution calls for more state control over regulation of methane leaks.