Environmental Groups Push California to Track Reservoir Methane Emissions

A coalition of prominent environmental groups is calling on California to systematically track methane emissions bubbling up from its reservoirs, arguing this significant source of greenhouse gases is being overlooked in the state's climate fight. The groups, including Tell the Dam Truth, Patagonia, and the Center for Biological Diversity, point to years of research showing that dams and reservoirs produce substantial emissions as submerged plants and organic matter decompose underwater, releasing methane—a gas far more potent than carbon dioxide—into the atmosphere. Currently, California does not comprehensively monitor these emissions. The push aligns with Governor Gavin Newsom’s mandate to slash methane emissions by 40%, which advocates call the most aggressive target in the nation. Keith Shattenkirk, an environmental program officer for Patagonia, stated that by directing state agencies to close this monitoring gap, California can address a critical blind spot in its emissions inventory. The petitioners argue that understanding the full scope of reservoir emissions is essential for the state to meet its ambitious climate goals and accurately account for its carbon footprint. This effort highlights a growing recognition that man-made reservoirs, often celebrated for their role in water storage and renewable hydropower, also have a hidden climate cost. The groups contend that quantifying this impact is the necessary first step toward managing and potentially mitigating it, ensuring California’s climate policies are based on a complete picture of all emission sources.