Accelerated Methane Reduction
Designing a future interdisciplinary and shared research agenda to understand the role of methane reduction in the energy transition
Designing a future interdisciplinary and shared research agenda to understand the role of methane reduction in the energy transition
As the world confronts an energy transition, the global energy system is being re-imagined and the role of methane reduction in that transition is not entirely clear. Governments are pursuing increasingly ambitious initiatives to reduce methane emissions and diversify their energy systems. At the same time, the world is facing significant energy demand growth from emerging and developing economies. The dual pressures of reducing their carbon footprint, while also providing the necessary resources to fuel energy growth creates another layer of complexity for the oil and gas industry.
Mines and the world
The Payne Institute extends to public policy Mines’ conviction that energy and the environment must– and can – fruitfully coexist. We are in an enviable position to tap into a deep well of on-campus and alumni leaders in industry and environmental groups around the world. We foster collaboration with a focus on problem-solving rather than furthering entrenched agendas.
COLORADO
Colorado has been at the forefront of establishing regulations for the oil and gas industry and working in a coherent inclusive manner between the industry and other stakeholders. That form of broad engagement based on science should continue. It will serve to both evolve the discussion in the state and at the local level, but also serve as a lodestar for the national and global discussion.
For more information about the Accelerated Methane Reduction Initiative at the Payne Institute for Public Policy, please contact our Deputy Director, Gregory Clough, at gclough@mines.edu.
NEWS
Carbon capture technology is ready. Permitting needs to catch up. 4/24/2025
Carbon capture technology is ready. Permitting needs to catch up.
Payne Institute Low Carbon Energy Technologies Program Manager Anna Littlefield writes about how ending the carbon dioxide injection well permit application backlog would unleash investment in America, creating tens of thousands of new jobs and strengthening America’s global competitiveness. April 24, 2025.
The Future of US Methane Emission Mitigation 4/22/2025
The Future of US Methane Emission Mitigation
Payne Institute Accelerated Methane Reduction Program Director Simon Lomax, Director Morgan Bazilian, and Deputy Director Greg Clough explore why major players in the U.S. energy sector are continuing their efforts to monitor, measure and reduce fugitive methane emissions, even as federal methane regulations are being rolled back. April 22, 2025.
The Smart Bet: Natural Gas for AI 4/16/2025
The Smart Bet: Natural Gas for AI
Payne Institute Director Morgan Bazilian writes about how natural gas for AI is emerging as the most practical near-term solution to meet soaring energy demands from data centers. There is no doubt that the AI revolution is a big part of that paradigm change and excitement, but not all energy sources are equally suited to the task and timelines. April 16, 2025.
Eyes on the Arctic: Satellite Monitoring of the Arctic LNG 2 Terminal 4/10/2025
Eyes on the Arctic: Satellite Monitoring of the Arctic LNG 2 Terminal
Payne Institute Earth Observation Group Mikhail Zhizhin, Christopher Elvidge, and Morgan Bazilian write about how the Arctic LNG 2 project operated by Novatek, Russia’s largest independent natural gas producer, represents a significant undertaking in the global energy sector. The terminal’s capacity is crucial for Russia’s strategic goal of significantly increasing its share in the global LNG market, targeting a substantial portion of the expanding demand, particularly in Asia. April 10, 2025.
Why are oil prices plummeting? Hint: it’s not just tariffs. 4/8/2025
Why are oil prices plummeting? Hint: it’s not just tariffs.
Payne Institute Director Morgan Bazilian was featured on this podcast discussing how concerns mount over how exactly President Donald Trump’s tariffs will impact the cost of coffee, cell phones and cars, there’s one price that’s tanking – oil prices have just fallen to $60/barrel. April 8, 2025.
Future-Proofing U.S. Technology: Strategic Priorities Amid Chinese Tech Advancement 4/6/2025
Future-Proofing U.S. Technology: Strategic Priorities Amid Chinese Tech Advancement
Payne Institute Fellow Jahara “Franky” Matisek, Director Morgan Bazilian, and others write about how the technological rivalry between the United States and China transcends traditional geopolitical competition. It represents a systemic challenge that cuts across economic, security, and diplomacy domains. The reports presented here examine critical technological domains where targeted policy action is needed to maintain U.S. strategic advantage. April 6, 2025.
Commodity prices drop in response to tariffs 4/4/2025
Commodity prices drop in response to tariffs
Payne Institute Faculty Fellow Ian Lange is featured on this podcast discussing the prices of commodities like crude oil, copper and soybeans have dropped in response to President Donald Trump’s tariff announcements, indicating pessimism about where the global economy may be headed. Even though many commodities, like oil, were exempt from tariffs, the broader economic effects of tariffs are likely to take a toll if they continue. April 4, 2025.
Better Together: The Case for Cooperative Regionalism in U.S. Energy Policy 4/3/2025
Better Together: The Case for Cooperative Regionalism in U.S. Energy Policy
Payne Institute Low Carbon Energy Technologies Program Manager Anna Littlefield, Student Researcher Siddhant Kulkarni, and Accelerated Methane Reduction Initiative Director Simon Lomax write about how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced plans for the most significant rollback of federal regulations in U.S. history, a critical question emerges: Will delegating power to states foster innovation and economic growth or could it jeopardize essential protections for public health, safety, and the environment? April 3, 2025.
Fossil fuel subsidy reforms have become more fragile 3/26/2025
Fossil fuel subsidy reforms have become more fragile
Payne Institute Fellow Paasha Mahdavi, Michael L. Ross, and Evelyn Simoni write about how since the mid-2010s, many governments have pledged to reduce their subsidies for fossil fuels. Yet, it is unclear whether these reforms have been implemented, with prior studies showing conflicting results. March 26, 2025.
Intercomparison of Three Continuous Monitoring Systems on Operating Oil and Gas Sites 3/18/2025
Intercomparison of Three Continuous Monitoring Systems on Operating Oil and Gas Sites
Colorado School of Mines Student Researchers William S. Daniels, Spencer G. Kidd, Shuting Lydia Yang, Shannon Stokes, Payne Institute Fellow Arvind P. Ravikumar, and Faculty Fellow Dorit M. Hammerling compare continuous monitoring systems (CMS) from three different vendors on six operating oil and gas sites in the Appalachian Basin using several months of data. March 18, 2025.