Research on the measurement of methane emissions at Dalhousie University has received an injection of money from the federal government. The project is getting $482,000. 

Announced by MP Andy Fillmore, the multi-partner project will see researchers measure methane emission levels at mature oil, gas and coal mines in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Natural Resources Canada is providing the funding through its Energy Innovation Program (EIP), which supports research, development and demonstration projects to bolster innovation in the clean energy sector.

The project will not only create an inventory of methane emissions from the past, it will provide opportunities to validate new technologies for the future, helping reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions. 

"Through the Gas Seepage Project (GaSP), Dalhousie's excellence in earth sciences research is united with the strengths of other Canadian universities in the Maritimes and local industry partners. Together, and with this federal support, we're building the scientific knowledge required to better understand how the fossil fuel extraction sites of our past are still affecting our atmosphere today. This research will also lay the groundwork for similar methane emission assessments in other areas of Canada and the world,” said Ian Hill, associate VP of research at Dalhousie University.

Globally, methane accounts for about 16% of all GHGs, second only to carbon dioxide. This coupled with the fact that it has 25 times the climate-warming effects of carbon dioxide, means that addressing methane is key to meeting our climate change goals.