Rather than flaring natural gas, oil and gas companies could reuse and sell the byproduct. But, as Barry Rabe, J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Professor of Public Policy, points out, loose regulations result in this extra pollution.
“Reporting on methane is done on the honor system,” Rabe said. “Unless there’s pressure politically, regulatory standpoint or taxes, you’re not going to invest in the equipment, the metrics, to catch all the gas.”
