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)