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EPA focused its review on two blinded studies of controlled releases in Colorado in 2022, with data reviewed by Highwood Emission Management. In April 2022, every release of about 3 kg/hr was detected. The smallest detected release was 0.2 kg/hr. In October 2022, releases of about 2 kg/hr were all detected at distances of 20 to 120 meters. EPA's reviewers found that the data supported a 90% probability of detection below 5 kg/hr. The system could also place a leak within 0.5 meters of its source. EPA approved it on 13 May 2025. 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Approval letter for the Clean Connect AI LeakFinder System as Methane Alternative Test Method MATM-011, 13 May 2025. The Acceptance Justification memorandum of 12 May 2025 accompanies it (docket EPA-HQ-OAR-2024–0619).","title":"Approval of Methane Alternative Test Method MATM-011 (Clean Connect AI LeakFinder System), with Acceptance Justification memorandum","url":"https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2025-05/clean-connect-alternative-test-method-signed.pdf","date":"2025-05-13","written_by":"independent","quote":"From these data points, reviewed by Highwood Emission Management, a calculated Probability of Detection (POD) curve was developed, demonstrating of 90% POD of < 5 kg/hr. Consistent with the requirements in §60.5398b(d)(3)(vi)(A), Clean Connect’s data has provided sufficient evidence to support their requested LeakFinder System’s detection threshold."},{"kind":"regulatory document","citation":"U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards. Approval letter for the Clean Connect AI LeakFinder System as Methane Alternative Test Method MATM-011, 13 May 2025. The Acceptance Justification memorandum of 12 May 2025 accompanies it (docket EPA-HQ-OAR-2024–0619).","title":"Approval of Methane Alternative Test Method MATM-011 (Clean Connect AI LeakFinder System), with Acceptance Justification memorandum","url":"https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2025-05/clean-connect-alternative-test-method-signed.pdf","date":"2025-05-13","written_by":"independent","quote":"all releases of approximately 3 kg/hr were detected with the lowest detection of 0.2 kg/hr detected from approximately 30 yards"}]}},"provenance":{"kind":"legacy_record","basis":"Editorial assignment.","record_fields":["evidence"],"source_refs":[]},"review_state":"record_mapped","coverage":"partial"},"sources[].upstream_sources":{"state":"unresolved","provenance":{"kind":"curatorial","basis":"Editorial assignment.","record_fields":[],"source_refs":[]},"reason":"This is an explicit unresolved assignment: the sources on record do not settle this question.","review_state":"not_assessed","coverage":"partial"},"strategic_assessments[]":{"state":"unresolved","review_state":"not_assessed","coverage":"partial","family":"strategic assessments"},"summary":{"state":"value_present","value":{"kind":"record_fields","fields":{"summary":"EPA found that Clean Connect's LeakFinder System, which uses neural networks to spot gas in camera footage, reaches a 90% probability of detection below 5 kg/hr of methane.","account":"Clean Connect AI of Windsor, Colorado, makes the LeakFinder System, which is mounted high on an oil and gas site. An autonomous camera for optical gas imaging scans the site, and deep learning models flag methane in the footage. In July 2024, the company asked EPA to approve it for periodic screening under the federal methane rules for oil and gas. EPA focused its review on two blinded studies of controlled releases in Colorado in 2022, with data reviewed by Highwood Emission Management. In April 2022, every release of about 3 kg/hr was detected. The smallest detected release was 0.2 kg/hr. In October 2022, releases of about 2 kg/hr were all detected at distances of 20 to 120 meters. EPA's reviewers found that the data supported a 90% probability of detection below 5 kg/hr. The system could also place a leak within 0.5 meters of its source. EPA approved it on 13 May 2025. 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An autonomous camera for optical gas imaging scans the site, and deep learning models flag methane in the footage. In July 2024, the company asked EPA to approve it for periodic screening under the federal methane rules for oil and gas. EPA focused its review on two blinded studies of controlled releases in Colorado in 2022, with data reviewed by Highwood Emission Management. In April 2022, every release of about 3 kg/hr was detected. The smallest detected release was 0.2 kg/hr. In October 2022, releases of about 2 kg/hr were all detected at distances of 20 to 120 meters. EPA's reviewers found that the data supported a 90% probability of detection below 5 kg/hr. The system could also place a leak within 0.5 meters of its source. EPA approved it on 13 May 2025. The tests used planned releases, and trained staff can flag erroneous readings.","replication":{"produced_by":["A permanently mounted camera for optical gas imaging panned across the site.","Deep learning models flagged emissions in the footage on an edge computer and uploaded them to a cloud dashboard.","The system recorded wind speed and direction to check that each screening was valid."],"must_hold":["The camera needs a direct line of sight to the equipment to place a leak at a single component.","Cloud cover, sunlight glint and other conditions can cause erroneous readings."],"echoes":[]}}},"provenance":{"kind":"legacy_record","basis":"Editorial assignment.","record_fields":["account","replication"],"source_refs":[]},"review_state":"record_mapped","coverage":"partial"}},"summary":{"total":91,"addressed":91,"known":27,"reviewed":2,"reviewed_complete":2,"reviewed_partial":0,"record_mapped":25,"review_not_assessed":64,"not_assessed":0,"complete":false,"by_state":{"value_present":27,"not_reported":0,"unresolved":64,"not_assessed":0,"not_applicable":0,"withheld":0,"source_unavailable":0}}},"presentation_version":"f204180d8630bfa092841344cfc0f175cd360958aa87f71b8a3085843e69018d"}