Feds Fight Tougher Coalbed Methane Wastewater Standards In Montana [View All]

HELENA - A federal agency is putting pressure on Montana regulators to back away from a proposed crackdown on coalbed methane wastewater. The U.S. Department of Energy says it was called in at the request of Wyoming state officials, who have worried their northern neighbor may go overboard with water quality rules.

The Board of Environmental review was left wondering why the Department of Energy had a representative at a hearing earlier this month on a proposal that would apply tougher water quality restrictions on coalbed methane operations. "You don't typically get those type of individuals traveling to testify," said Robin Shropshire, a member of the state Board of Environmental Review that is looking at tougher water rules.

The prospect of large-scale, coalbed methane drilling in southeastern Montana has led to bitter disputes between conservationists, some land owners and the natural gas industry. But federal regulators are an uncommon sight in the battle. John Veil, a Washington D.C.-based manager with the Argonne National Laboratories, said he was sent by the Department of Energy to a hearing on the proposed coalbed methane rules. He stood as an opponent and spoke against the tougher measures. While he acknowledged that it was "somewhat unusual" for the DOE to get involved in such disputes, "there is great concern that if this proposal would be put in place the way it is now it would severely restrict coalbed methane production in Montana." The Department of Energy hasn't officially weighed in on the issue, but the agency is preparing an analysis of Montana's proposed rules.

Drilling for coalbed methane involves the release of volumes of groundwater to ease the pressure holding the natural gas in coal seams. The disposal of that water is a huge concern for a number of ranchers and conservationists, who argue that the water can be salty or of poor quality and harmful to crops. David Alleman, with the DOE's National Energy Technology Laboratory, said they are working under the assumption the rules could impact both Montana and Wyoming gas production. One of the goals of the agency is to ensure an abundant energy supply for the country. The proposed coalbed methane rule in Montana could get in the way, he said. The rule could require coalbed methane operators in Wyoming to change the way they release waste water into rivers and streams that flow into Montana. That could curtail gas production, Alleman said. "It's our feeling that what is being proposed here is an attempt to go beyond what is reasonable," said John Wagner, director of Wyoming's Water Quality Division.

EDIT

http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2005/12/26/build/state/25-methane.inc