DATE INTRODUCED:

02/09/2026

WHAT:

The Methane Monitoring Science Act of 2026 is a bipartisan bill that directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to develop, in coordination with relevant federal agencies, a science-based strategy to assess and evaluate the use of present and future methane monitoring and detection technologies, including space-based sensors, and the integration of data related to such indicators, with a focus on strengthening American energy security. This bill:

• Directs NASA to develop this strategy with the goal of enhancing the scientific and operational value of methane monitoring capabilities.
• Authorizes NASA to use this strategy to inform the planning of research and development activities. Encourages public-private partnerships between NASA and non-federal entities, including the oil and gas industry, to effectively leverage data provided by these capabilities.
• Does not grant any enforcement authorities to NASA with regard to methane emissions.

WHY IT MATTERS:

The world depends on American natural gas, and regulation by foreign governments has forced shifts in global energy markets and supply chains. To ensure the United States maintains its global market access, the natural gas industry will increasingly depend on accurate monitoring of methane emissions along the natural gas supply chain. Unfortunately, today’s greenhouse gas (GHG) characterization technologies are limited in their ability to deliver these complex measurements - a blind spot that puts America’s carbon advantage and energy dominance at risk.

Thanks to decades of leadership in spectrometry, satellites and big data challenges, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is uniquely positioned to address this vulnerability by advancing critical R&D into novel methane detection and measurement technologies that will help maintain U.S. leadership in LNG exports for years to come.

WHAT'S NEXT:

This bill was adopted as an amendment to H.R. 7273, NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026, which passed committee (37-0) on February 4th, 2026. This bill now awaits consideration on the House floor.

ORIGINAL SPONSORS:

Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-NC)

CONGRESS.GOV LINK:

H.R. 7416

PRINTABLE SUMMARY:

Printable summary of H.R. 7416