John Curtis (R-UT)
Methane Monitoring Science Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Methane Monitoring Science Act of 2026. It requires the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to develop a Federal science strategy to monitor and detect methane. This strategy must be developed in consultation with other Federal departments and agencies within 18 months of the bill's enactment. The Administrator must then submit this strategy to Congress. The main goal is to assess methane monitoring tools—like ground, airborne, and space sensors—to strengthen American energy security.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +4
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The bill directs NASA to develop a science-based strategy to assess methane monitoring capabilities and inform research and development activities.
- Scored +3
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?
The bill establishes a science strategy to monitor and detect methane emissions, supporting efforts to understand and address greenhouse gases.
- Scored +3
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
By requiring a comprehensive strategy for assessing methane monitoring tools, the bill aids environmental observation and management.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Better Research Planning: Under section 2(b)(1), the Administrator can use the new strategy to plan relevant research and development activities, which helps improve scientific understanding of methane capabilities.
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Data Access for Non-Federal Groups: Under section 2(b)(2), non-Federal groups like State and local governments, schools, nonprofits, commercial industries, and international organizations can choose to leverage data and information provided by these capabilities.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
Based on the provided text, there are no specific provisions that create negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States. Section 2(d) explicitly states that the bill does not grant new enforcement authority, establish or affect regulatory requirements, or allow information collected under the section to be used for compliance or enforcement purposes.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — By requiring a comprehensive strategy for assessing methane monitoring tools, the bill aids environmental observation and management. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — The bill establishes a science strategy to monitor and detect methane emissions, supporting efforts to understand and address greenhouse gases.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill directs NASA to develop a science-based strategy to assess methane monitoring capabilities and inform research and development activities.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires NASA to submit a detailed methane monitoring and detection strategy to Congress and make data accessible to non-Federal entities.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Commercial industries, including the natural gas and oil industry, may leverage data and information provided by the new methane monitoring capabilities.
- 9/30/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado