Coalbed Methane Outreach Program
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Benefits of Capturing and Using Coal Mine Methane

Coal mine methane (CMM) emissions represent a potential source of energy. The recovery and use of CMM emissions have benefits for the local community as well as the global environment. Some benefits of capturing and using CMM include:

  • Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, since methane is a very potent greenhouse gas
  • Providing a valuable source of clean-burning energy that can be used to generate electric power, or as an alternative fuel for vehicles and other industrial/commercial applications
  • Enhancing mine safety by reducing concentrations of explosive gases within the mine
  • Providing additional revenue to mine operators when the gas is captured and sold.

Options for Capturing and Using CMM

In the United States, CMM is most often sold to natural gas pipeline systems. Other uses include:

  • Power generation
  • Heat generation
  • Flaring*

*In some instances where end uses are not economic or available, the destruction of methane through flaring may be the most appropriate option for reducing GHG emissions and mitigating CMM-related mine hazards.

Worldwide, CMM is used differently. For more information, please see the Global Methane Initiative's CMM project list.

Before CMM can be used, it must be captured by ventilation and drainage systems and then brought to the surface. Project developers review available data for a coal mine such as drainage efficiency, gas quality and quantity, end-use options, available markets, policies, and the economics of potential projects.

CMM can be used in many ways, including:

  • Power generation
  • Combined heat and power generation
  • Sale to natural gas pipelines
  • Coal drying
  • Heat source for mine ventilation air
  • Supplemental fuel for mine boilers
  • Vehicle fuel as compressed or liquefied natural gas (LNG)
  • Manufacturing feedstock

CMOP provides resources for CMM project development. Resources by project phase are available here:

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Last updated on September 15, 2022