Source: KUER 90.1

Excerpt:

Methane floating away from Utah’s natural gas production facilities not only contributes to climate change and poor air quality, it also hurts the state’s economy.

That’s the takeaway from a new report commissioned by Taxpayers for Common Sense, a D.C.-based nonpartisan watchdog, and the Environmental Defense Fund, a national advocacy group. They hope the report, compiled by Synapse Energy Economics, will expand the argument for clamping down on rogue emissions.

The report found that Utah is losing $48 million worth of natural gas each year because of leaking, venting and flaring at gas production sites. It estimates the amount lost in one year would be enough to supply 26,300 households — roughly 20% of Utah’s residential gas customers.

Just because the escaping gas is invisible doesn’t mean it’s not a giant red flag, said Ashley Miller, executive director for advocacy group Breathe Utah.

“If you had natural gas leaking in your home, you would do something about it immediately,” Miller said. “It’s really similar just on a much larger scale.”

Read more: Beyond the climate costs, Utah is losing millions on leaking methane, report says