Coal Mine Methane Project Protocol Development

Version 2.0 – Pipeline Project Eligibility

Between May 2009 and August 2011, Reserve staff worked with the coal mine methane (CMM) multi-stakeholder workgroup to develop a performance standard that would define eligibility for CMM drainage projects that send gas to pipeline (“pipeline projects”). This project type was excluded from Version 1.0 because data analyzed at that time did not support establishing a performance standard for such projects. Additional data analyses did not provide a clear path forward for inclusion of pipeline projects, and work on this element of the protocol was suspended until more data become available. Thus, no CMM Project Protocol Version 2.0 was issued. See memo below for more detail.

The CMM Project Protocol is now undergoing a new revision effort to Version 2.0 that does not include expanding eligibility to pipeline projects. Visit the CMM Project Protocol Revision webpage for more details.

Workgroup Meetings

Version 1.0

The Reserve began developing the Coal Mine Methane Project Protocol in February 2009. The technical workgroup met from May through September, during which time drafts of the protocol were made available for workgroup and public review and comment. A public workshop was held in August 2009 to discuss the draft protocol and encourage further public feedback. Staff made final revisions to the protocol in September 2009 and it was approved by the Reserve Board on October 7, 2009.

Public Comments:

Alpha Natural Resources Harworth Energy
BCS Incorporated Marshall Miller & Associates
Biothermica Technologies Inc. Solvay Chemicals, Inc.
FMC Wyoming Corporation Verdeo Group, Inc.
GE Power & Water  

Staff Response to Public Comments, Version 1.0 (September 2009)

Public Workshop

The Reserve hosted a public workshop on August 25, 2009 in Philadelphia, PA, to provide a venue for public feedback on the draft Coal Mine Methane Project Protocol. The agenda and presentation from the workshop are available below.

Coal Mine Methane Project Protocol Public Workshop – Agenda
Coal Mine Methane Project Protocol Public Workshop – Slides

Workgroup Participants

The Climate Action Reserve worked closely with a multi-stakeholder workgroup throughout the protocol development process. The workgroup included industry representatives, federal agency personnel, NGOs, verifiers and expert consultants. This group of stakeholders reviewed and commented on early versions of the protocol, and helped ensure that the Reserve produced a high quality GHG reduction protocol for coal mine methane reduction activities.

Alpha Natural Resources Greenhouse Gas Services, LLC
Biothermica Technologies Inc. Harworth Energy Ltd
Blue Source Canada Megtec
Cliffs Natural Resources Raven Ridge Resources, Incorporated
Green Holdings Ruby Canyon Engineering Inc
Colorado School of Mines SCC Americas LLC
CONSOL Energy Inc. US EPA
DNV Climate Change Services USA US EPA Coalbed Methane Outreach Program
First Environment Inc. Verdeo Group, Inc.

Resources

Scoping Meeting Agenda
Scoping Meeting presentation

Please contact the Policy Team with questions or comments.