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By Roz Brown
February 26, 2025
A study commissioned by the Environmental Defense Fund showed the industries developed to find and repair methane leaks have grown by 88% over the past decade.
It also found New Mexico has more work to do in attracting such firms.
Marcy Lowe, founder and principal of Datu Research, said addressing methane waste is a win-win, as the environment, public health and the industry all benefit.
“It’s really kind of the low-hanging fruit for moving the needle in on our battle against climate change,” Lowe contended. “Also for the industry, since these are ways in which the equipment isn’t performing as it’s supposed to.”
Between methane services and manufacturing sites, New Mexico has a total of 20, according to the report, compared to 75 in neighboring Colorado. Studies show U.S. oil and gas operations emit some 16 million metric tons of methane annually through venting, flaring and leaks. The emissions are 85 times more potent than carbon dioxide and contribute significantly more to climate change.
Lowe pointed out technology and equipment have improved from just a decade ago for leak detection, measurement and mitigation, which has boosted local economies and the job market.
“The companies that I talked to really stressed that they pay well and they have upward mobility,” Lowe reported. “Because it’s about inspecting on-site, the leak detection and measurement, those jobs are not likely to be offshored.”
Median wages for methane mitigation jobs are $127,000 a year in manufacturing, and as high as $145,000 in service jobs. The report showed the number of U.S. companies involved in methane mitigation grew from 215 in 2021, to 268 last year