If Breaking Bad were about methane instead of meth

Season 1: Walter and Jesse cook an illegal substance in a warming world

The year is 2042. Walter White is a struggling high school chemistry teacher in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He lives with his wife and teenage son. Shortly after turning fifty years old, Walter is diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. To take his mind off things, he decides to go on a ride-along with his brother-in-law Hank, who is an enforcement agent for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In response to rampant natural disasters and climate disruptions, Hank and the EPA are aggressively enforcing new rules that limit global warming pollution.

During the ride-along, Hank vents to Walt about the “knuckleheads” who have the “chutzpah” to violate federal environmental law. He touts the EPA’s newest move to curb climate change: a national ban on producing fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), except from a handful of highly regulated facilities.

Hank also explains that the EPA is cracking down on pollution from livestock farms, where methane gas (CH4) from cow manure, burps, and farts have long contributed to global warming. He informs Walt that a molecule of methane is 86 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2) at trapping heat over a 20-year period. Under the new EPA regime, farms must avoid or capture all methane emissions.

In spite of the EPA’s ban on methane pollution, agency surveillance drones have detected high concentrations of methane at an old farm outside Albuquerque. Heading to the location, Hank is hopeful they can find the culprits and make a methane bust.

U.S. EPA enforcement agent Hank Schrader (right), joined by his colleague Steve and brother-in-law Walter White. Hank hopes to make a methane bust at a farm outside Albuquerque. (Image: AMC)

Upon arriving at the farm, Hank spots a series of rusted cylindrical tanks. The decrepit equipment appears to be part of a biodigester system — a commonplace farm technology that processes manure in closed tanks.

Cows stare back at Hank’s EPA van; a decrepit biodigester system is seen in the background. (Image: EPA)

In general, biodigesters are good for the environment. By processing manure in closed tanks, a biodigester prevents methane pollution. Open manure piles, by contrast, release methane directly to the atmosphere. In addition, by fostering bacterial activity in oxygen-starved conditions, a biodigester produces a methane-rich biogas (“biomethane”) that can be captured and used as a substitute for fossil-derived natural gas.

But this particular farm’s biodigester is clearly not realizing its environmental promise, nor does it have a valid EPA permit to operate. Hank observes that the ramshackle biodigester is “a piece of shit” that’s leaking heaps of methane (rather than capturing it) — making the system “about as useful as a toilet bowl with bullet holes.”

Hank and his colleague Steve leave the van to investigate further. Walt stays behind, where he soon catches sight of a 20-something male crawling out of a wooden shed and fleeing on foot. Walt is shocked to recognize the man. They make eye contact. Walt lets out a hushed, incredulous gasp: “Oh my god….Pinkman?” Pinkman, peeved that he’s been seen, signals for Walt to stay quiet. He speeds away in a beat-up red Chevy.