You may have heard the recent news that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed new regulations to cut carbon dioxide emissions from existing coal plants by up to 30% by 2030.

Less well known is another plan that outlines both regulatory and voluntary actions that federal agencies would undertake to reduce methane emissions, which are more damaging to the environment than carbon dioxide emissions (methane is the main component of natural gas).

This strategy targets industries creating the largest percentage of domestic methane emissions, with the top three polluters being agriculture (farm animals), natural gas systems and landfills.

While there is no practical way to control emissions from farm animals, some landfills have been installing wells and vents to capture methane.

We can only hope that the natural gas industry makes similar progress in addressing an environmental problem that affects us all.