Fixing Super-Emitting Leaks

HEET continues to act as a watchdog, verifying utilities identification and repair of their super-emitting gas leaks—these are the leaks that emit most of the greenhouse gas methane directly into the atmosphere.

Our goal over the next five years is to be the first in the nation to halve methane emissions from gas leaks on the distribution system. Our new report, "Shared Action Plan Year 1 (2019/2020)—Utilities Enacting the Leak Extent Method", documents the continued progress of this first-in-the-nation program and reports on the use of the new super-emitter identification protocol—the leak extent method. 

The report also includes a summary of a recently completed government-funded project that explored how super-emitting leaks can evolve over a year, including our recommendations for improving federal regulations around distribution system leak surveying.