Studies: A few natural gas facilities generate big portion of pollution

FORT COLLINS – Much of the natural-gas pollution from gas processing and transmission facilities comes from a few facilities, according to two new studies that researchers say provide the most comprehensive look yet at the matter.

Colorado State University and Carnegie Melon University researchers published two separate studies in the journal of Environmental Science & Technology: one looking at methane pollution from gas transmission and storage facilities and another study looking at the same kind of emissions from gas gathering and processing facilities.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that can trap heat in the atmosphere more effectively than carbon dioxide. Nearly…