The journal "Science" released a study showing that the US oil and gas industry emitting 13 million metric tons of methane which is 60 percent higher than what the Environment Protection Agency predicted. Most of the emissions were released from leaks, equipment malfunctions, and other “abnormal” operating conditions. The study looked at a culmination of ten years of other studies completed by CIRES and NOAA scientists across the country. Methane is particularly dangerous as it has more than 80 times the warming impact of carbon dioxide over the first 20 years after its release. It is the main ingredient in natural gas. The US total emissions from switching to natural gas from coal over the 20 years is at 2.3 percent. There has been an estimated loss of $2 billion of methane leakage which could heat up ten million US homes. The study suggests if the leaks were repaired and properly monitored, natural gas can be significantly reduced.