DENVER – A new report uncovered a blind spot in the nation’s climate-change strategy: More than one-fifth of all U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions are connected to fossil fuels extracted from taxpayer-owned federal lands and waters.
The report maintains that the U.S. Department of the Interior, which oversees the nation’s public assets, has no plan to measure, monitor or reduce emissions – although there have been indications recently that the agency is considering the issue.
“Any comprehensive strategy to address climate change should incorporate accounting for and reducing these emissions,” said Claire Moser, research and advocacy associate at the Center for American Progress.
The report cites coal production on federal lands as the biggest culprit, responsible for more than half of the emissions estimated for 2012. Colorado, Montana and Wyoming produced 93 percent of coal-related CO² emissions, with Colorado contributing more than 49 million metric tons.
The report estimates that between 2008 and 2013, methane emissions connected to flaring or venting rose more than 51 percent. The report also found that so-called fugitive emissions from the production, processing and distribution of fossil fuels is an even more significant source of methane.
Joshua Mantell, government-relations representative for The Wilderness Society, said getting accurate information is key to creating solutions.
“Making sure that we are able to monitor and measure all of the greenhouse gases that can be traced back to lands that all Americans own, I think, is a very important step,” he said.