Bill Overview
Title: Methane Super-Emitter Strategy Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to enter an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to develop a science-based strategy to assess, evaluate, and make recommendations regarding the use of present and future greenhouse gas monitoring and detection capabilities.
Sponsors: Rep. Beyer, Donald S., Jr. [D-VA-8]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals globally impacted by climate change and greenhouse gas emissions.
Estimated Size: 331000000
- Methane emissions are a significant contributor to global warming and climate change.
- The bill addresses the assessment and monitoring of greenhouse gases, which affect the global climate.
- Climate change impacts every person globally through extreme weather, rising sea levels, and food security issues.
- Accurate monitoring and reduction strategies for methane emissions can beneficially impact the wellbeing of the global population.
Reasoning
- The Methane Super-Emitter Strategy Act of 2022 aims to improve the monitoring of methane emissions, which is crucial for climate change mitigation.
- Given the budget constraints and the nature of the policy, its direct impact may be limited initially to stakeholders involved in emissions monitoring and industries subject to new regulations.
- Over a longer term, successful implementation could contribute to reducing methane emissions and improving climate resilience, indirectly benefiting all Americans by mitigating severe weather and other climate-related challenges.
- The interviews include a range of individuals, from those directly affected by changes in monitoring associated with industries to those who may only experience indirect benefits through environmental improvements.
Simulated Interviews
Petroleum Engineer (Houston, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy will likely increase reporting requirements for oil and gas operations, which could mean more work but also more accountability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Environmental Activist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's critical that we have accurate data on methane emissions to push for stronger regulatory actions and hold polluters accountable.
- This is a step forward, but much more is needed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 9 |
Farmer (Omaha, NE)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If this leads to better climate predictions, it might help us plan better for growing seasons.
- I'm cautiously optimistic but need to see concrete changes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Data Scientist (New York City, NY)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Better data means better models, which means we can make smarter decisions about how to mitigate climate risks.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 9 |
Retired (Miami, FL)
Age: 60 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While this policy won't directly change sea levels immediately, improved monitoring is a small but necessary step toward broader climate solutions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Teacher (Denver, CO)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's essential for our students to understand the importance of monitoring emissions as part of tackling climate change.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Software Developer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 26 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm excited to see how more accurate data will enhance AI solutions for climate change mitigation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 9 |
Coal Industry Worker (Rural Kentucky)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy changes like these make me worry about the future of jobs in the coal industry.
- While necessary, the transition should consider the workforce impacts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Policy Analyst (Chicago, IL)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We need effective policies that incorporate scientific data to drive long-term change.
- This lays a foundation, but action has to follow analysis.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 8 |
Hospitality Worker (New Orleans, LA)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Every action counts when it comes to climate change, but I hope this translates to meaningful action soon.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $25000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $35000000)
Year 2: $25000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $35000000)
Year 3: $26000000 (Low: $16000000, High: $36000000)
Year 5: $27000000 (Low: $17000000, High: $37000000)
Year 10: $30000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $40000000)
Year 100: $35000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $45000000)
Key Considerations
- This bill addresses methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to climate change.
- Coordination among prestigious scientific bodies ensures a comprehensive and authoritative approach.
- The emphasis on both current and future capabilities makes the strategy adaptable to technological advancements.