Professor Amy Townsend-Small in the newly-formed School of Environment and Sustainability at University of Cincinnati and PEWS faculty affiliate has been studying methane emissions from the oil and natural gas supply chain for many years. Methane is a more powerful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, particularly right after it is emitted. A sudden increase in methane emissions can lead to a destabilization of the climate system, including rapid increases in temperatures, changes in ocean currents, and larger and more intense climate impacts like fires and storms. One of the largest sources of methane emissions in the United States is leaking natural gas systems such as wells, pipelines, power plants, and appliances. This finding from Dr. Townsend-Small and her colleagues gives scientists and policymakers extra impetus to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy: not only is burning fossil fuels our number one source of carbon dioxide emissions; leaking natural gas is also a major source of methane emissions.
One project Dr. Townsend-Small and her team are working on right here in Cincinnati is measurement of emissions from natural gas powered streetlights. Cincinnati has over 1,000 natural gas streetlights in several different neighborhoods, and they are over 100 years old. These streetlights are a beloved cultural treasure in some neighborhoods, and in many ways a symbol of our city. However, they are also an extra source of methane from natural gas distribution systems. Just like stoves, furnaces, and hot water heaters, they also may emit toxic harmful air pollutants produced when gas is burned.
Dr. Townsend-Small and her students have created a digital map of all the natural gas streetlights in Cincinnati based on a hand drawn map from historical records. They have been quantifying methane emissions from these streetlights, and are also working on quantifying emissions of harmful air pollutants, such as carbon monoxide (which is produced when fossil fuels are burned). Next steps may include comparison of streetlights in Cincinnati to those in other cities with vintage nostalgic neighborhoods with gas streetlights, such as Boston or New Orleans. We also will be engaging with local policymakers about the implications of our results.
This ongoing project is supported by the School of Environment and Sustainability and the Center for Public Engagement with Science, and is being conducted with Environmental Studies undergraduate students and environmental history professor Dr. David Stradling.
