Coalbed Methane Development: The Costs and Benefits of an Emerging Energy Resource

摘要

Coalbed methane has rapidly become an important source of natural gas, particularly in the Intermountain West. The rapidity of its development has resulted in significant pressure on communities to deal with its environmental consequences. Coalbed methane production often results in large quantities of water that are released as byproducts of production; in some cases, the water may inundate sensitive arid ecosystems, worsen surface water quality, and diminish underground water supplies. Noise, dust, and increased traffic; impairment of visibility and conflicts with recreation and other land use; impacts on wildlife and ecosystems; and other consequences of development have generated opposition in many communities. Particularly vexing has been development on split estates, where surface owners do not own the mineral rights underneath their property and are required to cooperate with development that may disrupt the use and control of their land. This article examines the problems associated with coalbed methane development and offers a variety of suggestions for how conflicts could be reduced and how development could proceed in ways that are ecologically sustainable.