"WASHINGTON — A surprising hot spot of the potent global-warming gas methane hovers over part of the southwestern U.S., according to satellite data.

That result hints that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies considerably underestimate leaks of methane, which is also called natural gas.

The higher level of methane is not a local safety or a health issue for residents, but factors in overall global warming. It is likely leakage from pumping methane out of coal mines. While methane isn't the most plentiful heat-trapping gas, scientists worry about its increasing amounts and have had difficulties tracking emissions."

Seth Borenstein reports for the Associated Press October 9, 2014. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Coal, Not Fracking Blamed for U.S. Methane Hot Spot" (Bloomberg) [3]