Coal Bed Methane

CBM Environmental and Economic Issues

Agriculture and Irrigation
Water Quality Criteria for Irrigation,  Glenn J. Hoffman, Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension, 1997
Air Quality
U.S. Methane Emissions 1990-2020:  Inventories, Projections, and Opportunities for Reductions (EPA 430-R-99-013, September 1999 (885 KB)
Biological Issues (general - also see Fisheries, Wildlife, and Vegetation)
Coal Bed Methane Gas Development in Montana, Some Biological Issues, Steve Regele and Judd Stark, Montana DEQ, Industrial and Energy Minerals Bureau, September 2000
Geology and Soils
Final Soils Technical Report (Complete Report), Montana Statewide Oil and Gas E.I.S and Amendment of the Powder River and Billings Resource Management Plans, prepared by A.L.L Consulting (Tulsa, Oklahoma) and subcontractor CH2M Hill (Boise, Idaho) for the U.S.D.I, BLM, Miles City Field Office, June 2001.
Report by chapters:
Contents - Acronyms
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Chapter 2 - CBM Water, Soils, Crop Characterization
Chapter 3 - Potential Impacts of CBM Water Use
Chapter 4 - Impact Analysis
Chapter 5 - Findings
Chapter 6 - References
Appendix A - Exhibits
Appendix B - AG Notes From MSU Extension Service
Social and Economic Impacts
Coalbed Methane Development, Powder River Basin of Montana: Economic and Social Impacts of Proposed Development, prepared for the Montana Coalbed Natural Gas Alliance, by Anderson ZurMuehlen and Co., P.C., June 1, 2001
Input Values for Economic Impact Modeling, Draft, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8
Important Economic Issues to Address with Coal Bed Methane (draft 10/22/02), Jeff Blend, Montana DEQ, Resource Protection Planning Bureau
Water Quality and Quantity
Evaluation of Impacts to Underground Sources of Drinking Water by Hydraulic Fracturing of Coal Bed Methane Reservoirs, draft report 2002, EPA 816-D-02-006.
CBM/TMDL Tribal/State Coordination for the Tongue River Watershed, Summary of a meeting held on March 6, 2001, attended by personnel from the Montana DEQ and U.S. EPA Region 8, Montana Office
Coal Bed Methane Produced Water Reinjection, by Thomas J. Schneider for the Northern Plains Resource Council, May 16, 2001 Exhibits
Development of Site Specific Water Quality Standards for the Tongue River, Little Powder River, and Powder River, Montana DEQ, Water Quality Standards Section, November 2000
Final Water Resources Technical Report,(Complete Report), Montana Statewide Oil and Gas EIS and Amendment of the Powder River and Billings Resource Management Plans, prepared by ALL Consulting (Tulsa, OK) and subcontractor CH2M Hill (Boise, ID) for the USDI, BLM, Miles City Field Office, June 2001.
Report by chapters:
Contents - Exhibits, Appendicies, Acronyms
Chapter 1 - Background
Chapter 2 - Coal Bed Methane Operational Summary
Chapter 3 - Geology and Hydrology (PDF 17 KB - slow loading)
Chapter 4 - Water Use and Quality
Chapter 5 - Water Resources Impact Issues
Chapter 6 - Mitigation of Impacts to Water Resources
Chapter 7 - Conclusions
Chapter 8 - References
Outline of Ongoing and Proposed Water Quality Protection Activities for the Tongue and Powder River Watersheds in Montana, Draft, February 21, 2001
Water Quality Criteria for Irrigation in CBM Areas, November 29, 2001, Abe Horpestad, Montana Dept. of Environmental Quality, Helena, MT
Water Quality Analysis of the Effects of CBM Produced Water on Soils, Crop Yields and Aquatic Life, October, 2001, Abe Horpestad, Montana Dept. of Environmental Quality, Helena, MT
Water Quality Technical Report:  Water Quality Impacts from Coal Bed Methane Development in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming and Montana, December 18, 2001, Abe Horpestad, Montana DEQ, Don Skaar, Montana FWP, Helen Dawson, EPA Region 8 (PDF document, will need Adobe Acrobat to view)
Other
Coal-Bed Methane:  Potential and Concerns, U.S. Geological Survey
Fact Sheet FS-123-00, October 2000