Summary

Creates a Department of Energy–led program to improve detection, measurement, and mitigation of methane emissions through research, demonstrations, technical assistance, and publicly available best practices. Requires DOE to form a multi-stakeholder research consortium, funds multi-year research and testing facilities at NIST, and authorizes recurring appropriations for both agencies to support measurements, intercomparisons, and technology development. The program emphasizes advanced detection methods (including isotope analysis and Lidar), identification of high-risk infrastructure and coal-mine methane, mapping natural geologic seeps, and cooperative agreements to provide technical assistance; it also sets reporting, membership, and review timelines and specifies annual funding levels for FY2026–FY2030 and beyond for NIST facilities.

• Creates a DOE-led program for methane detection, measurement, mitigation, demonstration, and technical assistance.
• Requires DOE to form a multi-stakeholder Methane Emissions Measurement and Mitigation Research Consortium within one year.
• Directs research on advanced detection methods (including isotope methods and Lidar), high-risk infrastructure, coal-mine methane, and geologic seeps.
• Authorizes DOE funding for FY2026–FY2030 with increasing annual amounts ($36M→$44M) to support program activities.
• Requires DOC/NIST to establish national testing and intercalibration facilities within one year and authorizes ongoing funding ($15M→$23M+).
• Mandates cooperative agreements, public best-practice resources, and annual reports to Congress, but does not set regulatory limits.
• Consortium support may run up to 10 years with a mandated 5-year merit review and annual congressional reporting.
• Focuses on improving measurement accuracy and data comparability to inform mitigation strategies and technology deployment.