**Methane Emissions in Permian Basin Far Exceed Estimated Levels, Satellite Data Reveals** The Permian Basin, the largest oil-producing region in the United States, has been emitting significantly more methane than previously thought, according to a recent report. Satellite data collected by the University of Michigan and the University of Colorado Boulder suggests that methane emissions in the region are nearly four times higher than those estimated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The report, which was published in the *Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres*, analyzed data from 2018 to 2020 and found that methane emissions in the Permian Basin averaged around 4.2 million tons per year. This is significantly higher than the EPA's estimated emissions of around 1.1 million tons per year. The discrepancy has raised concerns among environmental groups and lawmakers, who are calling for greater transparency and accountability in the oil and gas industry. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, has written to the EPA requesting an explanation for the discrepancy between the reported and estimated emissions. In a letter dated March 8, 2022, Whitehouse noted that the EPA's estimates were based on data from 2016, which may not reflect the current situation in the Permian Basin. "I urge you to use the best available science to estimate methane emissions from the oil and gas sector," Whitehouse wrote. "The public has a right to know the true extent of these emissions and the steps that are being taken to reduce them." The Permian Basin is a major source of oil and natural gas production in the United States, accounting for around 25% of the country's total oil production. However, the region's oil and gas operations have been linked to significant environmental concerns, including methane emissions and water pollution. The discrepancy between reported and estimated emissions in the Permian Basin highlights the need for more accurate and reliable data on methane emissions from the oil and gas industry. The report's findings have important implications for policymakers and regulators, who are seeking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the oil and gas sector. In 2020, the EPA introduced new rules aimed at reducing methane emissions from oil and gas operations, but the agency has faced criticism for not doing enough to address the issue. The discrepancy between reported and estimated emissions in the Permian Basin underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in the oil and gas industry.