A woman-owned engineering firm, Paxon Energy & Infrastructure (Paxon), is reporting the return of 20 million scf (0.57 million m3) of methane annually back into systems that can be used for energy production. Use of Paxon’s methane recompression services for the company’s major utility clients alone translates into alleviating the damage that would have been caused by 14,858,722 gas car driven miles (23,912,795 km); 6,598,026 pounds (2,992,814 kg) of burned coal; 319 tons (289 tonnes) of carbon dioxide (CO2); 2037 tons (1848 tonnes) of recycled waste; and the equivalent of 7820 acres (3165 ha) of forest that would have been needed to clean the air.
Paxon is an energy-based firm that specializes in helping utilities identify, manage, and upgrade energy systems such as underground pipelines, power and electrical systems, and aging infrastructure. The company said that some of the upgraded infrastructure was even established in the 1800s. Paxon’s methane recapture system replaces old industry practices of burning off (flaring) or blowing down (venting) methane from natural gas pipelines or at the production well heads. “Paxon is prioritizing our methane recapture services for our utility clients because it has the potential for such a significant contribution to the next 150 years,” said Paxon Founder Nooshin Behroyan. “With programs like this, we can make an impact that helps meet the new 2030 30% methane emissions reductions goals announced by President Biden. We are on a mission to ensure the infrastructure of this country supplies light, heat, and energy in an environment that supports the thriving of our great grandchildren.”
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the burning of fossil fuels is the largest source of methane emissions from human activities in the United States, followed by livestock enteric fermentation, and landfills. China, the United States, Russia, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Mexico are responsible for nearly half of all anthropogenic methane emissions. For example, coal production is a key source of methane emissions in China, whereas Russia emits most of its methane from natural gas and oil systems.
