Growing Strong: Methane Mitigation Industry Expands Nationwide, Driving Economic Growth and Cutting Emissions

(Durham, N.C.) A new Datu Research analysis finds that U.S. companies manufacturing technology and providing services to reduce harmful oil and gas pollution are experiencing strong economic growth nationwide. 

“These companies are creating high-quality jobs and stronger local economies by helping operators reduce waste and capture lost revenue,” said Matthew Garrington, senior director of U.S. methane advocacy for Environmental Defense Fund. “Strong state and federal policies have created regulatory certainty leading to investment in methane mitigation technology and job creation.”

Datu Research surveyed the industry in 2024 and compared its findings to several analyses conducted over the last decade, revealing significant growth in the methane mitigation industry.  The number of manufacturing firms has increased by 88% over the last decade (2014-2024), while the number of service firms has grown by 105% over the past seven years (2017-2024).

Commissioned by Environmental Defense Fund, the analysis “Growing Strong,” examines how this expansion has occurred, focusing on the growth of new firms and the increasing number of employee locations across the manufacturing and service sectors of the methane mitigation industry. 

“The 2025 analysis shows how the methane mitigation industry is turning waste into economic value,” said Marcy Lowe from Datu Research. “The U.S. is a beacon of innovation demonstrating how we can reduce methane emissions and boost economic growth while protecting our environment and public health.”

Datu Research compared comprehensive data collected in 2021 and 2024, finding that the number of methane mitigation manufacturing and service firms increased 24% from 215 to 268 firms and the number of employee locations increased 39% from 748 to 1,040. Many of these are small businesses, employing fewer than 50 people, yet they offer high-skill opportunities with competitive wages. 

“Cutting methane emissions is a smart investment that strengthens both businesses and local economies,” said Isaac Brown, Executive Director, Center for Methane Emissions Solutions. “The U.S. methane mitigation industry is thriving, creating high-quality, well-paying jobs while helping oil and gas producers reduce waste, improve efficiency and boost their bottom line.”

Texas remains the leading hub of the methane mitigation industry, with the largest number of company headquarters and employee locations. As the largest oil and gas producer in the U.S., Texas naturally has the highest demand for methane mitigation services and technology. Across Texas, companies are responding to federal methane regulations from 2016, proactively aligning with the 2024 U.S. EPA methane rule ahead of schedule and committing to voluntary reductions such as the Oil and Gas Decarbonization Charter.

The methane mitigation industry has expanded nationwide in part as a response to federal regulations. However, California and Colorado also stand out as leaders in methane mitigation, driven by strong state policies that have fostered demand for methane-reducing technologies. They were the first states to adopt comprehensive statewide standards for methane emissions reductions and have continued to strengthen their policies over the last decade. 

Each year, oil and gas operations in the U.S. emit approximately 16 million metric tons of methane through venting, flaring and leaks – the equivalent of $2 billion worth of wasted natural gas. With over 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide in the short term, methane drives more than 25% of the warming we are experiencing today. 

The good news is, proven solutions can prevent methane leaks along with other toxic pollutants like benzene, offering a cost-effective solution that reduces emissions, while making American energy operations cleaner and more efficient. 

Datu Research has been analyzing the methane mitigation industry since 2014, and during that time the industry has grown exponentially, creating family-sustaining jobs and economic activity around the nation – including in states with upstream oil and gas production and states with natural gas distribution. This year’s report shows that the industry has continued its remarkable growth and is ready to meet states’ needs to reduce emissions and air pollution while offering operators proven tools to reduce waste and enhance profitability.

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 Datu Research provides decision-makers with the economic analysis they need to forge strategies that protect natural resources, create sustainable food systems, develop local economies, and increase climate resilience. daturesearch.com

The Center for Methane Emissions Solutions represents the interests of American businesses that develop and manufacture cutting edge technologies, install commercial technologies and aid inspectors on the job to significantly cut methane waste on a cost-effective basis across the oil and gas supply chain. methanesolutions.org