Satellites Spot Methane Plumes Over U.S. Caused by 'Routine Work'

Plumes of the super-warming greenhouse gas methane were spotted over the Midwest last month. U.S. pipeline giant Energy Transfer LP said the releases were triggered by “routine work” on its natural-gas infrastructure.

The emissions were likely limited in scope—by one estimate if they lasted an hour they would have roughly the same short-term climate impact as the annual emissions of about 700 cars. An Energy Transfer spokesperson said they didn’t have information on the amount released.