I 
117TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8991 
To direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to con-
duct a measurement-based national methane research pilot study to quan-
tify methane emissions from certain oil and gas infrastructure, and 
for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 28, 2022 
Ms. JOHNSON of Texas (for herself, Ms. LOFGREN, Ms. BONAMICI, Ms. STE-
VENS, and Ms. SHERRILL) introduced the following bill; which was re-
ferred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
A BILL 
To direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
Agency to conduct a measurement-based national meth-
ane research pilot study to quantify methane emissions 
from certain oil and gas infrastructure, and for other 
purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Methane Emissions 
Research Act of 2022’’. 
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SEC. 2. NATIONAL METHANE RESEARCH PILOT STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator, in consulta-
tion with the Secretary of Energy, the Administrator of 
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the 
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, the Administrator of the Pipeline and 
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the Director 
of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, 
and the heads of other Federal agencies as appropriate, 
shall conduct a measurement-based national methane re-
search pilot study (in this section referred to as the ‘‘pilot 
study’’) to quantify methane emissions from covered oil 
and gas infrastructure. The Administrator shall employ a 
technology or suite of technologies for methane emissions 
measurement, research, and analysis. To the extent prac-
ticable, the Administrator shall consider utilizing innova-
tive technologies for methane emissions measurement and 
quantification. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The pilot study shall— 
(1) encompass two regions, which shall be de-
termined by the Administrator; 
(2) identify areas consisting primarily of cov-
ered oil and gas infrastructure within each such re-
gion; 
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(3) develop and implement methodologies and 
procedures for a measurement-based evaluation of 
methane emissions from such infrastructure; 
(4) assess diverse approaches to the character-
ization of methane emissions from such infrastruc-
ture; and 
(5) consult with Federal, State, local, academic, 
nonprofit, and private sector entities, as appropriate. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than two years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall sub-
mit to the appropriate committees of Congress, and make 
publicly available, a report assessing the results of the 
pilot study. The report shall include the following: 
(1) An overview of the findings of the pilot 
study pertaining to the quantification and character-
ization of methane emissions from covered oil and 
gas infrastructure. 
(2) An analysis of how the pilot study could 
support and inform the development and implemen-
tation of a national methane census study (in this 
section referred to as the ‘‘methane census’’), to be 
undertaken on a recurring basis and encompass all 
seven regions. Such analysis shall also examine the 
following: 
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(A) The feasibility of evaluating the 
amount of methane emissions from covered oil 
and gas infrastructure by region, industry seg-
ment, type of emission source, or any other cri-
terion, as a component of the methane census. 
(B) The necessary scope of measurement- 
based activities within regions in order to carry 
out the methane census. 
(C) Any onshore or offshore gaps within 
the scope of the pilot study that could merit in-
clusion as a part of the methane census. 
(D) The estimated budget that would be 
required to oversee the methane census. 
(E) Any other relevant topic, as deter-
mined by the Administrator. 
(3) An analysis of how the measurement-based 
evaluation of methane emissions from covered oil 
and gas infrastructure, as completed by the pilot 
study or contemplated for the methane census, could 
support efforts to reconcile data generated by top- 
down methods and bottom-up methods with respect 
to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Inventory 
of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks. Such 
analysis shall also examine the following: 
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(A) How methane emissions data from the 
pilot study or methane census could be utilized 
as a part of a reconciliation process to better 
understand and improve data estimates from 
both top-down methods and bottom-up methods. 
(B) How methane emissions data from the 
pilot study or methane census could identify 
and help to explore any significant discrep-
ancies between top-down methods and bottom- 
up methods for methane emissions from covered 
oil and gas infrastructure. 
(C) Any other relevant topic, as deter-
mined by the Administrator. 
(4) A description of any research or technology 
gaps that were identified during the course of the 
pilot study and could merit additional study to sup-
port the improvement of methane emissions meas-
urement and quantification. 
(5) A description of the methodology of the 
pilot study, which, to the greatest extent possible 
and consistent with appropriate protections for con-
fidential business information and intellectual prop-
erty, shall include a discussion of the following: 
(A) Study design. 
(B) Measurement techniques. 
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