The Environmental Protection Agency this week released a draft report on greenhouse gasses. 

The report says U.S. greenhouse gas emissions fell .3 percent in 2017 from 2016, but estimates that methane emissions grew 1.5 percent. 

 

Politico reports the methane emission increase in 2017 was largely due to more emissions from cows and other livestock. 

In all, the data shows the 2017 estimation represents the highest methane emissions since 2014. 

 

Earlier this week, Bill Gates, who funds climate change efforts through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, wrote of the methane livestock issue, stating cattle “give off methane when they belch and pass gas.” 

He offered no solution, but rather language to focus on solutions to curb methane emissions. 

 

Meanwhile, the comment period on the EPA draft report is open until March 14th. Comments may be submitted online through the Federal Register.