Coalbed Methane Promoting CMM U.S. EPA Coalbed Methane Outreach Program: Recovery and Use The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Coalbed Methane Outreach Program (CMOP) is a voluntary program with a goal of reducing methane emissions from coal mining activities. Our mission is to promote the profitable recovery and utilization of coal mine methane (CMM), a potent greenhouse gas (GHG) that contributes to climate change if emitted to the atmosphere. When collected and used for energy, CMM is a valuable fuel source. Since 1994, CMOP has worked cooperatively with the coal mining industry to reduce CMM emissions. By helping to identify and implement methods to recover and use CMM instead of emitting it to the atmosphere, CMOP has played a key role in the United States' efforts to reduce GHG emissions and address global climate change. Benefits of CMM Recovery and Use • Reduce GHG emissions • Conserve a local source of valuable, clean- burning energy • Enhance mine safety by reducing in-mine methane concentrations • Generate revenue for the mine What is Coal Mine Methane? CMM refers to methane released from the coal and surrounding rock strata due to mining activities. In underground mines, it can create an explosive hazard to coal miners. Mines tend to emit more methane the deeper they are, but their methane levels depend on many factors. 2012 U.S. CMM Emissions ¦ Post-Mining (Surface) ¦ Post-Mining (Underground) ¦ Surface Mining ¦ Ventilation Emissions (UG) ¦ Degasification UG Vented Abandoned (UG) mines CMM is emitted from several sources: • Degasification (or pre-drainage) systems at active underground mines help keep the in- mine methane concentrations sufficiently low to protect miners. • Ventilation air methane (VAM), which refers to the very dilute methane released from underground mine ventilation shafts. • Abandoned mine methane (AMM) from closed mines that produce emissions of low- to medium-quality gas from diffuse vents, ventilation pipes, boreholes, or fissures in the ground. • Surface mines, which emit methane as the coal seam is directly exposed to the atmosphere. • Post-mining operations—when coal is stored in piles and transported—produce fugitive methane emissions. CMM Recovery and Use Technology is readily available to recover methane—the major component of natural gas—from coal mines. Specific end uses for CMM depend on the gas quality, especially the concentration of methane and the presence of other contaminants. www.epa.gov/cmop ------- Worldwide, CMM is most often used for power generation, district heating, boiler fuel, and town gas, or it is sold to natural gas pipeline systems. In the United States, nearly all CMM recovered for use from active mines is injected into the natural gas pipeline system. CMOP Activities CMOP works cooperatively with the private sector to support project development. The program also helps to overcome institutional, technical, regulatory, and financial barriers to CMM project implementation, and communicates the benefits of CMM recovery to interested and necessary audiences. Domestically, CMOP: • Identifies, evaluates, and promotes CMM recovery and use opportunities. • Provides technical analyses evaluating project opportunities at U.S. mines and supports technology demonstrations. • Prepares and disseminates reports on key technical, economic, and legal issues. • Interfaces with the mining industry, CMM project developers, and the financing community to advance project development. • Organizes conferences and workshops to discuss leading technology and policy developments. CMOP Accomplishments There are currently 26 operating CMM projects in the United States: 14 using drained gas from active underground mines, two mitigating dilute VAM at active underground mines, and 10 using AMM. In 2012, CMOP reduced CMM emissions by 8.4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTC02e). Since the program began in 1994, cumulative CMM emission reductions that can be attributed to CMOP total approximately 140.2 MMTC02e. international Activities For two decades, CMOP has worked with many coal- producing countries around the world to promote CMM development and use. Today, CMOP conducts its international activities under the auspices of the Global Methane Initiative (GMI). GMI is a successful international partnership of more than 40 Partner Countries working to promote global methane reductions. On behalf of GMI, CMOP: develops comprehensive profiles that characterize the coal and CMM sectors in nearly 40 countries; maintains an online database of more than 200 global CMM projects; conducts pre- and full-scale feasibility studies; sponsors technology demonstrations; and supports in-country capacity building through clearinghouses, technology transfer workshops, and study tours. Visit the GMI Coal Mines Web page to learn more: www.globalmethane.org/coal-mines/index.aspx Join the CMOP Network EPA encourages interaction between industry participants through the CMOP Network. Joining the CMOP Network is free and voluntary! As a CMOP Network Member, you will: • Receive monthly news updates. • Have the ability to add your organization and contact information to the Network Contacts list featured on the CMOP website. Sign up online today! www. epa. gov/cmop/join/ CMM Recovery at Active U.S. Coal Mines An interactive map of current projects and potential opportunities is available at: www.epa.gov/cmop/resources/map.html www.epa.gov/cmop ------- |