CBM Gets Mixed Reviews From Australian Panel

摘要

A parliamentary inquiry into the environmental, social and economic impact of coalbed methane (CBM) developments in Australia's New South Wales (NSW) state has given a mixed review of the budding industry. The report, released this week, recommends more exploration but also supports a moratorium on production approvals pending the creation of an effective regulatory framework. The committee released 35 recommendations after launching last August an inquiry on the various impacts of CBM in NSW (IOD Aug.9'11). CBM is still a fairly new industry in NSW, where it has attracted strong opposition from farmers and environmentalists (IOD Sep.26'11).