Managing Methane Emissions from Unconventional Oil and Gas Operations

The Penn State Center for Energy Law and Policy has led an interdisciplinary, multi-stakeholder pilot project since Spring 2017 focused on regulatory approaches to methane and other air emissions from unconventional oil and gas operations. This project has included extensive research by an interdisciplinary Penn State team, two conferences with a mix of stakeholders, engagement with individual and groups of stakeholders, and creation of smaller working groups to follow up on specific topics. These processes have brought together leaders from industry, government, and the environmental community with Penn State researchers. The team produced a draft White Paper in November 2017 in advance of the first conference. This final White Paper reflects the learning from the November 2017 and May 2018 conferences; specific feedback from industry, government, and environmental community participants; new regulatory developments; and additional research.