Methane Emissions Mitigation Research and Development Act

HR 7651, the Methane Emissions Mitigation Research and Development Act, establishes a federal program to fund research and development for better methane leak detection and mitigation technologies in the natural gas infrastructure. The bill directs the Secretary of Energy to create a Methane Emissions Measurement and Mitigation Research Consortium (including oil/gas operators, researchers, and community groups) to share data, prioritize research, and develop best practices for pipelines, wells, and storage facilities. It authorizes $36 million to $44 million annually (2025-2029) for this program and $15 million to $23 million annually for National Institute of Standards and Technology facilities to test methane measurement technologies. The effort directly affects oil and gas operators through improved leak detection tools and aims to protect public health by addressing methane emissions from infrastructure. The bill focuses solely on research, not regulatory requirements, with annual congressional reporting on progress.