EPA to Help Chinese Coal Mines Find Ways to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
09/18/2008 - The U.S. EPA commits more than $1 million to assess the economic and technical feasibility of recovering and using methane from coal mines in China as part of its Methane to Markets partnership.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has committed more than $1 million to assess the economic and technical feasibility of recovering and using methane from coal mines in China.
Mining coal allows methane, a greenhouse gas 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide, to escape into the atmosphere.
Methane is also an important energy source, however, and is the primary constituent of natural gas.
Not only would the capture and use of coal-mine methane reduces greenhouse gas emissions, it would also help to conserve energy, enhance mine safety, and provide a new source of revenue for the mine.
EPA is conducting three full-scale feasibility studies under its commitment to the Methane to Markets partnership. The studies will be conducted at the Liuzhuang Mine in Anhui Province, a group of six mines in the Songzao coal basin in Chongqing, and a group of six mines in the Hebi region of Henan Province.
If methane recovery programs are implemented at all three project sites, up to 1.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent could be reduced each year. That's equal to the annual emissions of up to 330,000 passenger vehicles.
"Methane recovery technologies can be part of the solution to the climate change challenge," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "By capturing and utilizing what would otherwise be wasted methane emissions, a new source of clean, reliable, valuable energy is realized."
EPA’s feasibility studies in China will determine the amount of methane emitted from each mine, assess the end uses for captured methane, and evaluate different methane-capture technologies. EPA will also estimate the costs and profits of a methane recovery and use program.
"Methane recovery technologies can be part of the solution to the climate change challenge," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "By capturing and utilizing what would otherwise be wasted methane emissions, a new source of clean, reliable, valuable energy is realized."
EPA’s feasibility studies in China will determine the amount of methane emitted from each mine, assess the end uses for captured methane, and evaluate different methane-capture technologies. EPA will also estimate the costs and profits of a methane recovery and use program.
The U.S. and China work collaboratively to promote the recovery of coal-mine methane through the Methane to Markets partnership, the U.S. EPA's Coalbed Methane Outreach Program, the China Coalbed Methane Clearinghouse, the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate, and the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue.
Methane to Markets, launched in 2004, is a public/private partnership that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by promoting the cost-effective, near-term recovery and use of methane, while providing clean energy to markets around the world. China and the U.S. were two of the founding members of the partnership, which has grown to include 27 countries and more than 750 private sector entities, financial institutions, nongovernmental agencies and other organizations.
