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 20 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTCO2e).
EPA is pleased to share the 2022 data from Best Management Practice and ONE Future commitment option 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 2022 and also provides data downloads for the full Methane Challenge dataset. To learn more about each Methane Challenge Partner's progress towards its commitments, visit the Individual Company Partner Profile Pages.
2022 Highlights
- ONE Future partners reported voluntary methane emission reductions equivalent to ~2.83 MMTCO2e
- BMP partners reported voluntary methane emission reductions equivalent to ~2.0 MMTCO2e
- ONE Future and BMP Partners reported achieving these reductions through voluntary actions such as:
- Distribution segment partners replacing more than 700 miles of cast iron pipelines and 1,000 miles of unprotected steel pipelines
- Transmission segment partners reducing methane emissions from over 680 planned pipeline blowdowns
- Transmission and storage segment partners performing repair or replacement of leaking equipment components
2022 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 | 8 | 45 | 4,000,102 |
| Equipment Leaks | 6 | 364 | 411,780 |
| Distribution Mains | 24 | 61 | 156,760 |
| Reciprocating Compressors | 7 | 247 | 166,459 |
| Distribution Services | 17 | 43 | 58,898 |
| Centrifugal Compressors | 3 | 204 | 3,405 |
| Distribution Pipeline Blowdowns | 3 | 8 | 6,766 |
| Transmission Storage Tanks | 3 | 251 | 0 |
| Pneumatic Controllers | 8 | 262 | 30,047 |
| Pressure Relief Valves | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Excavation Damages | 16 | 47 | N/A |
| Total* | 49 | 499 | 4,834,217 |
*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, Combustion Units, Dehydrator Vents, Flare Stacks, Meters, Pneumatic Pumps, and Station Venting.
Methane Challenge Program – BMP Dataset
The Methane Challenge dataset for the BMP Commitment Option can be downloaded below.
Please refer to the Methane Challenge BMP Data Dictionary for assistance in using the BMP data download spreadsheet.
Methane Challenge Program – ONE Future Dataset
The Methane Challenge dataset for the ONE Future Commitment Option can be downloaded below.
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 - 2021 data, 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.
Methane Challenge Accomplishments Calculation Methods
This document describes how EPA analyzes Partner-submitted data to calculate Methane Challenge program ‘accomplishments’; specifically, the partner commitment progress metrics shown on each Partner Profile webpage as well as Methane Challenge program-level methane reductions.
Methane Challenge Accomplishments Calculation Methods (pdf)
This document does not describe how Methane Challenge Partners calculate the data they report to EPA. Those calculation methods are detailed in the Methane Challenge Technical Documents.