Methane Challenge Program Accomplishments
Methane Challenge Program Partners make ambitious commitments to reduce their methane emissions through the program's two commitment options: the Best Management Practice Commitment Option and the ONE Future Emissions Intensity Commitment Option (learn more here). Since the Methane Challenge Program began in 2016, Methane Challenge Partners have reported reducing their methane emissions, through voluntary actions, by over 5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTCO2e).
EPA is excited to share the first-ever reports from our ONE Future commitment option partners which included activity data, methane emissions, and voluntary actions to reduce methane emissions in 2017 and 2018. EPA is also pleased to share the 2018 data from Best Management Practice partners including activity data, methane emissions, and voluntary actions to reduce methane emissions.
This page presents the accomplishments across partners in both commitment options during 2018 and also provides data downloads for the full Methane Challenge dataset. To learn more about each Methane Challenge Partner's progress towards its commitments, click here: Individual Company Partner Profile Pages.
2018 Highlights
- ONE Future partners reporting for the first time reported voluntary methane emission reductions equivalent to ~2 MMTCO2e
- BMP partners reported voluntary methane emission reductions equivalent to ~1 MMTCO2e
- ONE Future and BMP Partners reported achieving these reductions through voluntary actions such as:
- Distribution segment partners replacing over 1,500 miles of cast iron pipelines and more than 2,000 miles of unprotected steel pipelines
- Transmission segment partners reducing methane emissions from over 600 planned pipeline blowdowns
- Transmission and storage segment partners performing repair or replacement of leaking equipment components
2018 BMP and ONE Future Reporting Results Summary
| Commitment Options | Number of Partners Reporting | Number of Facilities Reporting | Estimated Voluntary Emission Reductions (metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission Pipeline Blowdowns | 6 | 18 | 2,453,666 |
| Distribution Mains | 29 | 66 | 221,338 |
| Equipment Leaks | 4 | 300 | 207,841 |
| Distribution Services | 15 | 36 | 62,847 |
| Distribution Pipeline Blowdowns | 4 | 14 |
20,050 |
| Reciprocating Compressors | 4 | 207 | 14,563 |
| Pneumatic Controllers | 3 | 187 | 2,572 |
| Pressure Relief Valves | 2 | 10 | 1,310 |
| Excavation Damages | 23 | 58 | N/A |
|
Total* |
52 |
420 |
2,984,187 |
*Note that the Number of Partners and the Number of Facilities in the Total row will not equal the sum of the rows in those columns as many partners/facilities report on multiple emission sources.
Methane Challenge also received data on the following emission sources, however no voluntary methane reductions were reported: Acid Gas Removal Vents, Blowdown Vent Stacks, Centrifugal Compressors, Combustion Units, Dehydrator Vents, Flare Stacks, Meters, Storage Tanks, and Station Venting
Methane Challenge Data Downloads
Download the full Methane Challenge dataset below. The dataset was most recently published in June 2020 and contains 2017 and 2018 data reported by BMP and ONE Future partners, as well as 2016 data submitted optionally by some BMP partners. Note that emission reductions are reported in metric tons of methane. To convert these data to metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (as in the table above), metric tons of methane are multiplied by the global warming potential for methane--25.
- Best Management Practice Commitment Option Dataset(184 K)
- ONE Future Commitment Option Dataset(2 MB) *
Methane Challenge Data Dictionary - BMP Commitment Option
Please refer to the Methane Challenge BMP Data Dictionary for assistance in using the BMP data download spreadsheet.
Methane Challenge Data Dictionary - ONE Future Commitment Option
Please refer to the Methane Challenge ONE Future Commitment Option Data Dictionary for assistance in using the data download spreadsheet.
*ONE Future Commitment Option Data Review Process
For 2017 and 2018 data, which were reported during the first year of Methane Challenge ONE Future Partner reporting, EPA conducted a basic review of the data elements related to voluntary emissions reductions. In subsequent years, EPA plans to expand data review to include other data elements.
In future data reporting cycles, Partners may update and resubmit data that was previously submitted, as needed. Resubmitted data will be included in the next program data publication.