This is a great video with lots of in depth and well researched reporting. Its defiantly worth the watch on the topic.

However, there were two topics that didn’t get any air time that I think are important to this conversation. Again, with a 40 minute video already, I understand why these didn’t make the cut, but for those interested in the topic they are important.

Number 1: The huge pivot to exporting methane from the USA is to counter Russia and support our allies in Europe.

Russia is a massive methane (and oil for that matter) producing country. Europe is also a giant user of lots of methane. In the last 20 years that has meant more and more Russian methane was used in European homes and industry. Russia decided to use this dependence Europe has to try and invade and conquer Ukraine. To starve the Russian war machine required Europe turning off the taps to Russian methane and oil. Otherwise every cubic meter of methane Europe consumed meant more dead Ukrainians. The only way Europe could turn off the Russian taps in the short term was to have a replacement for methane from somewhere else. THIS IS WHY THE USA EXPORTS OF METHANE INCREASED SO SHARPLY IN THE LAST FEW YEARS! Most of the world has a vested interest in Russia losing in Ukraine. The implications of Russian winning and conquering Ukraine have long, deadly and far reaching consequences over the next 100 years. Further, if Russia starts providing methane again to Europe, what oversight for fugitive methane leaks do we think Russia would put in place? My guess would be none. At least in the USA we have the ability to put pressure on the government to increase regulation on methane extraction/transporting companies to improve the situation with regard to leaks.

Number 2: The problem with Coal isn’t just its CO2, its with all kinds of other particulate matter put into the air from burning coal. Over the last 20 years 460,000 Americans died earlier than they needed to because we burn coal for electricity. source If you live near railroad tracks transporting coal you have between 3% and 16% greater chance of getting cancer. source. While methane also carries health risks because of extraction or transportation of the product (well water contamination from fracking fluid is one way), I don’t currently think these outcomes are worse than coal.

I’m a big believer in Solar and Wind for the future. I hold my nose and half heartedly advocate for methane as it looks like the least worst solution while we increase our green energy solutions.