CANADA - Country Joins
International Methane-Reduction Effort
The Canadian government has announced that it will join 15 other nations to cut
emissions of methane by using the gas to generate heat and power rather than
letting it escape into the atmosphere. On July 14, 2005, Canada became the 16th
member of the
Methane to Markets Partnership, an international initiative that promotes
the recovery and use of methane, prevents greenhouse-gas emissions, and provides
valuable sources of clean energy to communities, businesses and industry.
By 2015 the Methane to Markets Partnership has the potential to deliver annual
reductions in methane emissions of up to 50 million metric tons of carbon
equivalent or recovery of 500 billion cubic feet of natural gas, according to
the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA). If these projections are achieved, they could
stabilize or reduce global atmospheric concentrations of methane. This would be
equivalent to cutting the greenhouse-gas emissions of 33 million cars, planting
55 million acres of trees, or eliminating emissions from 50 500-megawatt
coal-fired power plants; or providing enough energy to heat approximately 7.2
million households for one year.
The Methane to Markets Partnership currently targets three major sources of
methane -- landfills, underground coal mines, and natural gas and oil systems.
The partnership is a collaboration among developed countries, developing
countries, and countries with economies in transition. In addition to Canada,
member countries include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Colombia, India,
Italy, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, South Korea, Ukraine, the United Kingdom
and the United States.
(Source: U.S. EPA news release, 7/14/2005)