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International News
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2007 International News
December 6, 2007 - US EPA Announces Major Grant Solicitation in Support of the Methane to Markets Partnership
The US Environmental Protection Agency has announced a request for proposals (RFP) for grants in support of the Methane to Markets Partnership, to fund activities to advance methane recovery and use as a clean energy source. The RFP focuses on the four sectors included in the Methane to Markets Partnership: coal mining, landfills, oil & gas, and agriculture.
The total estimated amount for this competitive funding opportunity is up to $7 million. EPA expects to award up to 40 cooperative agreements through this announcement, ranging in value from approximately $100,000 to $700,000.
EPA seeks proposals from organizations including international governments, not-for-profit organizations, states, local governments, and universities. Successful proposals will promote project development internationally. The estimated project period for awards is September 2008 through September 2011.
For details of the grant solicitation, please see:
http://www.epa.gov/methanetomarkets/grants.htm
For complete information about preparing and submitting a proposal, please see:
http://www.epa.gov/air/grants/08-01.pdf (PDF) (18 pp, 137K)
For frequently asked questions (FAQs) about this RFP, please see:
http://www.epa.gov/air/grants/08-01qa.pdf (PDF) (4 pp, 30K)
To see the US EPA press release about this announcement, please see:
http://www.epa.gov/methanetomarkets/pressreleases.htm#12-6-07
November 15, 2007 - CMM Workshop in Poland February 27-29, 2008
In conjunction with the International Mining Forum, there will be a workshop on "New Trends in Coal Mine Methane (CMM) Recovery and Utilization" held in Poland February 27-28, 2008. The workshop will cover technical and financial issues as well as cutting edge end use options. Best practices for methane drainage, ventilation air methane (VAM) and low-concentration methane use, and the influence of the carbon credit market on CMM project development are some of the topics which will be discussed.
The workshop, sponsored by the UNECE, USEPA, the Central Mining Institute, MEERI, and AGH, will take place in Szczyrk, a resort in the Beskidy mountains. For more details, go to http://www.imf.net.pl/ and click on the workshop name.
November 8, 2007 - M2M Expo Showcases New Partnerships and Funding and Project Opportunities
The Methane to Markets (M2M) Partnership Expo was successfully held in Beijing, China, from October 30 to November 1. The event was hosted by China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Over 700 participants from 34 countries were in attendance, and 91 methane capture and use opportunities from four sectors were featured in the "Methane Capture Marketplace". Dozens of companies contributed their resources as sponsors to facilitate this monumental event.
You can read more about the outcomes of the Expo - including new funding, partnerships, and projects announced - in the Methane to Markets Quarterly Newsletter Special Edition (PDF) (6 pp, 1.4MB) available on the web. You can also review Expo press coverage and all 91 methane project opportunities on the M2M Web site.
November 1, 2007 - Russia publishes JI guidelines
Russia's domestic procedures for approving projects that will generate carbon credits under the Kyoto protocol's joint implementation (JI) mechanisms have been published on the UNFCCC Web site, removing a bureaucratic hurdle for project development.
Under the rules of the Kyoto protocol, projects can only be submitted to the UN for final approval – called final determination in JI terminology – if the host country has had its procedures published on the UN Web site.
The procedures now published by the JI's supervisory committee are the same as those Russia published domestically in late May (see CBM Note dated June 21, 2007). However, guidelines fail to resolve uncertainties such as how Moscow will treat certain kinds of flaring projects and the use of efficiency indicators.
Among eligible countries, Russia is viewed as the largest potential host for JI projects in the world. Prospective Russian JI projects include, use of associated gas in the oil and gas sectors for energy production instead of flaring, coal mine methane, fuel switch from coal to gas and biomass in the electricity sector, recovery of methane from landfills, and energy efficiency improvements at gas compressor stations.
A total of 38 Russia-based projects with a total capacity to generate 85.3 million carbon credits over the five-year Kyoto period have been submitted to the UN for review. However, none of them have been able to apply for final approval because the guidelines have not been published and Russia has not yet issued any letters of approval (LoAs). Now only LoAs stand between the projects and final determination.
October 11, 2007 - World Bank Report on CMM/CBM Development and Utilization in China
An Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) report, titled A Strategy for Coal Bed Methane (CBM) and Coal Mine Methane (CMM) Development and Utilization in China, was published in July 2007. The valuable report covers the status of the CBM/CMM investment and development; legal, regulatory, institutional, policy and technical barriers present; and actions required to significantly scale up the development and utilization of CBM/CMM in China. While not a detailed blueprint, the report provides recommendations, rationales and options for certain institutional and policy choices as well as suggestions for future studies to implement them. The report points out that globally, CBM/CMM is attracting growing attention from the perspective of climate change. However, China has two additional and very compelling reasons for addressing the issue - reducing coal mine fatalities and developing cleaner energy resources to improve air quality in cities. For more information, go to http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64256111&piPK=64256112&theSitePK=40941&menuPK=115635& entityID=000020953_20070828093241&siteName=PROJECTS
September 6, 2007 - Guizhou CMM Newsletter Now Available (China)
The Guizhou Coal Mine Methane (CMM) Recovery and Utilization Initiative would like to introduce you and your company or organization to the flourishing, and growing, CMM industry in Guizhou Province, China. This particular Initiative, funded by a United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) grant and in support of the Methane to Markets Partnership goals, was developed to support the use of coal mine methane gas as a clean energy resource. Not only does CMM recovery and utilization reduce the threat of coal mine explosions, it also prevents direct emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, to the atmosphere. This industry is proving to be innovative and prosperous throughout the world, and especially in China. Find out more from the Initiative quarterly newsletter. You can find the first issue linked below. There will be an additional five issues throughout the next year. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please email Katie Scott (kscott@gzcmm.org).
- http://gzcmm.org/Newsletter/Autumn_2007_94.pdf (PDF) (6 pp, 453K) (English)
- http://gzcmm.org/Newsletter/Autumn_2007_901_Chinese.pdf (PDF) (6 pp, 656K) (Chinese)
August 30, 2007 - Arrow Energy Announces Four Agreements in China
In two press releases issued earlier this month. Arrow Energy NL announced that it has signed four significant agreements in China for the development of coal mine methane (CMM) and coalbed methane (CBM).
The first of these agreements is a Heads of Agreement ("HOA") with Shenyang Gas Company, the city gas company supplying gas to the Greater Shenyang area. It has rights to gas from nearby coal acreage owned by Fushun Mining. Following completion of technical studies and final agreements, Arrow will drill and complete wells in this field on behalf of Shenyang Gas. It is anticipated that Arrow will drill its first well (likely a surface to inseam well) within the next few months.
The second agreement is a HOA with Liaohe Petroleum Development Company ("LPDC") to evaluate nine blocks in Liaoning Province, covering an area of approximately 9,000 km2. Arrow will undertake an initial technical evaluation of the project area and following a successful evaluation Arrow will finalize a Production Sharing Contract (PSC) with LPDC to develop some or all of these blocks.
The third agreement is a HOA with Bin County Coal ("Bin County") for Arrow to provide a degassing service ahead of mining operations. The Bin County coal mining lease covers an area of approximately 100 km2. Arrow will now continue its technical studies and draw up plans for a pilot production program followed by the field's development if the pilot is successful.
The fourth agreement is a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") with Shaanxi Binchang Mining Company Limited ("SBMCL") to evaluate the potential for CBM developments on their mining tenements and following a successful evaluation to form a Joint Venture arrangement with SBMCL. These areas, totaling approximately 700 km2, are adjacent to the fields covered by the Bin County HOA.
These agreements illustrate Arrow's initial project acquisition strategy in China. Arrow now has a total of 7 projects in 3 different geographic regions to evaluate technically and commercially and to then proceed with exploration and development drilling. Please visit Arrow Energy's Web site for more information: http://www.arrowenergy.com.au/
August 23, 2007 - Upcoming International Conferences in M2M Countries
China (Taiyuan) International Coal & Energy New Industry Expo
16 - 18 September, 2007
Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
Phone: 86-351-4081906 4081917
Fax: 86-351-4087916
Contact Person: Wang kong rui, Han Jin cheng
Email: international@cicenexpo.com
Web site: www.cicenfair.com
International Specialized Exhibition: Minerals
18 - 21 September 2007
Donetsk, Ukraine
Web site: http://www.expodon.dn.ua/2007/nedra/?id=main&lg=en
The Polish Mining Congress
Coal Mine Methane Recovery and Utilization Workshop has been canceled
19 - 21 September, 2007
Krakow, Poland
Contact: Jacek Jarosz
Email: jjarosz@min-pan.krakow.pl
Phone: +48-12-632 1324
Webiste: www.pkg.com.pl
August 16, 2007 - NDRC Approves the First CBM Commercial Development Passport - Panzhuang CBM cooperative project is approved to enter the initial stage of commercial development.
On July 11, 2007, the China National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) notified China United Coalbed Methane Corporation, Ltd's (CUCBM) and Asian American Gas, Inc. (AAGI, the parent company of Sino-American Energy Inc.) that the Coalbed Methane Resources Development Plan in Panzhuang, Jincheng Shanxi province is in line with China's policies governing the CBM industry and listed in the national Eleventh Five-Year Plan. NDRC also approved the initial stage of the Panzhuang CBM resources Development plan, with an annual capacity of 500 million cubic meters. AAGI is the first foreign company to obtain NDRC's approval for CBM commercial development in the last twenty years. Previous output for the six gas wells reached 300,000 m3/day, and the highest gas output for a single well reached 70,000m3/day. Sino-American Energy Inc and its Chinese partners are now preparing for the initial stage of CBM commercial development in Panzhuang. For more information, the full press release is available on the AAGI Web site (http://www.asianamericangas.com/en/newspop.asp?iPid=283).
July 27, 2007 - Gazprom Successfully Completes CBM Pilot Study in Kuzbass
Earlier this month Gazprom – Russia's biggest company and the world's largest natural gas producer – announced the successful completion of a pilot coalbed methane (CBM) production project in the Taldinskaya area of Kuzbass Basin. The project, located in the Kemerovo Oblast, aims to provide a reliable gas supply to the Kuzbass region while improving safety at coal mines. The availability of gas in the area will also assist in reducing the ecological footprint of the industrial region. The first phase of the project included engineering design and infrastructure development. Pilot wells were constructed, and they are currently in operation. During 2007-2008 the project participants plan to implement a second phase of the project, which will focus on addressing the lack of a regulatory framework for CBM production. Gazprom plans to begin supplying gas to customers in the second half of 2009.
Gazprom and the Kemerovo Oblast Administration inked the agreement for the CBM production project in May 2003. The Kuzbass basin is favorable to CBM development because of its well-developed infrastructure and proximity to the Kemerovo Oblast's large industrial centers. Gazprom estimates CBM reserves in Russia of 49 trillion cubic meters (Tcm) with 13 Tcm located in the Kuzbass region. See the Gazprom press release for more information: http://www.gazprom.com/eng/news/2007/07/24659.shtml
In the first quarter of 2007 Gazprom and Siberian Coal Energy Company (SUEK) announced their intention to combine their electricity and coal operations. If successful, the merger would combine Russia's largest gas producer with the country's largest coal producer. SUEK produces about 30 percent of domestic and about 20 percent of exported coal for power generation.
July 19, 2007 - India Proclaims First Coalbed Methane Sale
Great Eastern Energy Corp., a London-based company involved in the exploration, development and production of coal bed methane (CBM), said it has made India's first sale of CBM. The sale is for both industrial use and compressed natural gas for vehicles in Asansol, West Bengal, 125 miles northwest of Calcutta. The company said it is receiving $13-15/Mcf for the gas.
Great Eastern has drilled 23 production wells and plans to drill 80 more in phases over 3 years. It holds a CBM license on 210 sq km in the Raniganj coal field in West Bengal, where consulting engineers estimated original gas in place at 1.92 tcf. For more information, go to http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/July2007/16/c6636.html.
June 28, 2007 - M2M Expo Registration is Live
The Registration page for the Methane to Markets Partnership Expo is live. To register for the event, you can visit the M2M Web site, (www.methanetomarkets.org/expo), click on the registration link in the side bar, and enter your information as directed.
In addition, several other Expo pages have been updated. First, the Location and Travel Info page now includes more information and assistance to secure a Chinese travel visa. Second, the Accommodations page offers access to a hotel reservation form for Expo attendees to make arrangements at the China World hotel. Third, full exhibitor and sponsorship information, including an exhibitor kit and exhibitor floor plan, is available on the Sponsors page.
The Partnership Expo, which will take place 30 October to 1 November, 2007 in Beijing, China, is the premier international forum for promoting methane recovery and use project opportunities and technologies. Join the international methane community and:
- Showcase project opportunities and technologies;
- Meet with potential project partners and financiers;
- Learn about the latest technologies and services; and
- Explore key technical, policy, and financial issues.
June 21, 2007 - Russian Government Enables JI Projects
As reported in the Daily Environment Report, Russia has issued regulations to enable full participation in the Kyoto Protocol's Joint Implementation (JI) program, which allows projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions in "economies in transition" to generate tradable credits that can be applied toward meeting emissions targets in other countries.
Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov signed directive No. 332 on May 28, 2007, according to a statement from the governmental press service May 30. Russia's Economic Development and Trade Ministry will coordinate the JI program, according to the directive.
Under the directive, companies planning to implement Joint Implementation projects must apply for approval from the ministry. Applications will be accepted between Jan. 1, 2008, and Dec. 31, 2012, it said.
In January, the Trade Ministry drafted regulations on the JI program and on emission credits trading generally.
June 14, 2007 - CMOP Launches CMM Projects Database
The Coalbed Methane Outreach Program (CMOP), at the request of the Methane to Markets Partnership Coal Subcommittee, has developed a web-based international database of coal mine methane (CMM) recovery and utilization projects. The database contains general and, where available, technical information on over 200 projects around the world. Data was compiled using publicly available resources and in consultation with international industry experts.
The database contains several user-friendly features. For example, users can sort the list of projects alphabetically by one of five variables: Country, Region, Mine Name, Project Type, or Mine Status. A help document provides definitions of these terms along with other useful information. You can access the database from the M2M webpage: http://www.methanetomarkets.org/resources/coalmines/index.htm
If you are involved in a CMM recovery and utilization project that is not included in the database, or if you have additional information on an already listed project, we want to hear from you! Please fill out and submit the data submission form available on the Web site to ensure that this database stays as comprehensive and accurate as possible. In addition, please contact Pamela Franklin (franklin.pamela@epa.gov) with any comments or suggestions on this tool.
June 7, 2007 - Expression of Interest (EOI) for Development of Coal Mine Methane (CMM) Bid Documents in the Command Area of coal India Limited
Coal India Limited intends to develop Coal Mine Methane (CMM) and Abandoned Mine Methane (AMM) prospects in their existing and potential mining areas, using reputable contractors selected through global bidding. CMPDI, one of the subsidiaries of Coal India Limited (CIL), has been authorized to invite Expressions of Interest from experienced CMM operators for evolving operational/contractual/bidding modalities to develop bid documents for tendering purposes of commercial CMM/AMM projects in Jharia, Raniganj, East & West Bokaro and South Karanpura coalfields. Interested parties may submit the Expression of Interest (EOI) by 29th June 2007 to the office of G.M. (CBM), CMPDI (HQ), Gondwana Place, Kanke Road, Ranchi (Jharkhand)-834008, India. For further details visit the CMPDI Web site http://www.cmpdi.co.in or contact the General Manager (gmcbm@cmpdi.co.in) of CBM at tel. no.(+91)-651-2230011.
May 31, 2007 - CMM Project Developer in UK Achieving Success
Alkane Energy PLC, a UK company, announced that it made a profit last year on its methane recovery and use projects. Alkane is an international renewable energy company specializing in the design, build, operation and servicing of climate change reduction and electricity generation systems that use biogas, landfill gas, coal mine methane (CMM) and sewage gas as fuel. Alkane has had substantial growth in electricity sales during the past year (59 million kWh), with eight mine gas plants operational (capacity equivalent to 17MW). Specifically, Alkane Energy completed three new CMM utilization projects at the Mansfield and Warsop coal mines in 2006.
Commenting on the preliminary results, Chief Executive, Dr. Cameron Davies, said "I am pleased to report that Alkane has achieved a pre-tax profit of £1,148,000, predominantly as a result of greater electricity generation capacity, favorable energy prices, and tight control over costs. Our mine gas plants in the UK and Germany continued to reduce methane emissions from abandoned coal mines and in 2006 we captured the equivalent of 460,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide. The plants generated more than 59 million kilowatt hours of electricity in total during the year and reduced carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to around 1,000 return flights from London to New York." See the company press release for more information: http://www.alkane.co.uk/news_item.php?id=20.
May 11, 2007 - Australia Announces Grant Program for Coal Mine Methane Projects
The Australian Government has announced that it will invest AUS $18.5 million over five years to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from underground coal mining activities in Australia. Part of the funding will come from the existing Greenhouse Gas Abatement program. The Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Malcolm Turnbull, announced a competitive grant program worth AUS $15.9 million over five years, beginning in 2007 - 2008.
For the press release and details of the grant program (to be posted shortly), see the following Web site: http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/coalminemethane/index.html.
April 26, 2007 - Deadline Extension: APP Grant Solicitation for India
As a part of the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (APP), the Department of State (DOS) is soliciting Concept Papers from organizations interested in contributing to the Partnership's goals in India through innovative public-private partnerships. These goals include reducing greenhouse gas emissions; advancing sustainable economic growth; reducing poverty; creating new investment opportunities; building local capacity; and improving economic and energy security.
The DOS requested $26 million (USD) to fund APP activities in Fiscal Year 2007. To qualify for DOS funding under this program announcement, a proposal must demonstrate that the applicant and its partners are willing/able to collectively contribute significant resources (matching funds) to the proposed program that are at least equal to the level of resources sought from DOS. Grants will be awarded in the range of $200,000 - $2,000,000 (USD). Prospective applicants may include a wide range of Partner country organizations, from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to commercial firms. Both U.S. and international entities are eligible to apply. An organization may submit no more than four (4) Concept Papers in total as lead grant recipient for the entire Concept Paper process. The deadline for submitting Concept Papers is being extended to 5 p.m. EDT Wednesday May 2, 2007. Concept Papers submitted after this deadline will not be accepted. Concept Papers must meet the requirements outline in the Annual Program Statement and must be submitted through the Web site: www.grants.gov.
For more information on the Asia-Pacific Partnership, please see www.state.gov/app and www.asiapacificpartnership.org
April 19, 2007 - Methane to Markets (M2M) Coal Subcommittee Meeting
The Methane to Markets (M2M) Coal Subcommittee Meeting was held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland April 3-4, 2007. The successful two-day meeting directly followed the Third Session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Ad-Hoc Group of Experts on Coal Mine Methane (CMM), convened April 2-3, 2007. Both meetings were well-attended by governmental and intergovernmental agencies, financial entities, and private sector organizations. Topics presented during the UNECE meeting included standardization of CMM terminology, GHG project insurance instruments and the use of low-quality methane. The meetings were productive and it was exciting to see the growing interest in CMM project development worldwide.
The M2M Coal Subcommittee Meeting focused mainly on plans for the M2M Partnership Expo, which will take place October 29 – November 1, 2007 in Beijing, China. Several countries submitted project templates to showcase at the Expo and the Subcommittee expects to receive many more before the July 1 deadline. There is a Call for Projects and an opportunity for Expo sponsorship – please go to http://www.methanetomarkets.org/expo/index.htm for more information on the Expo!
April 12, 2007 - Asia-Pacific Partnership Grant Solicitation for India
As a part of the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (APP), the Department of State (DOS) is soliciting Concept Papers (for activities to be undertaken in India) from organizations interested in contributing to the Partnership's goals through innovative public-private partnerships. These goals include reducing greenhouse gas emissions; advancing sustainable economic growth; reducing poverty; creating new investment opportunities; building local capacity; and improving economic and energy security.
The DOS requested $26 million (USD) to fund APP activities in Fiscal Year 2007. To qualify for DOS funding under this program announcement, a proposal must demonstrate that the applicant and its partners are willing/able to collectively contribute significant resources (matching funds) to the proposed program that are at least equal to the level of resources sought from DOS. Grants will be awarded in the range of $200,000 - $2,000,000 (USD). Prospective applicants may include a wide range of Partner country organizations, from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to commercial firms. Both U.S. and international entities are eligible to apply. An organization may submit no more than four (4) Concept Papers in total as lead grant recipient for the entire Concept Paper process. The closing date for receipt of Concept Papers is Friday, April 27, 2007.
For further eligibility criteria and for details on submission of project proposals, please see www.grants.gov
For more information on the Asia-Pacific Partnership, please see www.state.gov/app and www.asiapacificpartnership.org.
March 22, 2007 - Coal Mine Explosion in Russia is Worst in Living Memory
As reported by the Associated Press, at least 107 people died on Monday in an explosion and fire at the Ulyanovskaya Mine, located about 50 miles from the city of Novokuznetsk, Russia. It was Russia's worst mining disaster in living memory. Yesterday, President Vladimir Putin led a televised minutes-of-silence with his Cabinet, and the nation observed a day of mourning.
Officials say the blast could have been caused by coal dust but was more likely caused by miners breaking through into a pocket of methane gas trapped deep underground, according to National Public Radio. Local officials report that is will take up to two weeks to confirm the cause of the explosion. Lawmakers in Moscow called for a full investigation of the disaster. For CMOP's perspective on the relationship between mine safety and methane, see the lead article in the Spring 2006 issue of the CBM Extra (PDF) (9 pp, 677K).
The Ulyanovskaya mine is located in the Kuzbass coal basin at a depth of around 885 feet and is one of a new generation of private mines. It's five years old and was considered one of the country's most modern. When the explosion took place, most of the mine pit's managers were underground inspecting a newly installed British safety system. Regional officials confirmed that a British employee of the British-German mining consultancy IMC was in the mine as well. About 200 workers were underground at the time.
In a separate story reported this morning by the Associated Press, a coal mine explosion in China's Shanxi province on Sunday killed 19 people. The mine owner did not immediately report the explosion to the government.
March 15, 2007 - Methane to Markets Partnership Call for Projects for 2007 Partnership Expo
The Methane to Markets Partnership Secretariat is accepting submissions of methane recovery and use project opportunities. Selected projects will be showcased at the upcoming Partnership Expo in Beijing, China, to be held 30 October – 1 November 2007. In particular, the Partnership is seeking methane recovery or use projects in four sectors: Agriculture (e.g., dairy or swine waste management), Coal Mines, Landfills, and Oil and Gas Systems.
The Methane to Markets Partnership is a public-private partnership that brings together the technical and market expertise, financing, and technology necessary to advance near-term, cost-effective methane recovery and use projects in these four industrial sectors. Nineteen partner countries and a growing project network of over 500 public and private sector organizations work to reduce emissions of methane while delivering clean energy to markets around the world.
The Expo will provide attendees with the opportunity to:
- Showcase project opportunities for potential investors
- Meet with potential project partners and financiers
- Learn about the latest technologies and services
- Explore key technical, policy and financial issues
China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) will co-host the Expo with the Methane to Markets Partnership.
Submit a project for the Expo >>
More information about becoming a Sponsor of the Expo >>
More information about the Partnership >>
March 8, 2007 - Successful Methane to Markets Event in India
On February 22nd and 23nd, 2007, the Methane to Markets program held a two-day workshop in New Delhi, India focused on the Landfill, Coal, and Oil and Gas sectors. The meeting was hosted and co-organized by India's Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and attracted more than 100 participants. Presentations were given by a very diverse set of speakers from government, academia and the private sector. The workshop featured technical sessions on the coal, landfill, and oil & gas sectors along with keynote speakers from the nodal Indian Ministries, the U.S. Embassy and EPA. The Indian Minister of Environment, Dr. Prodipto Ghosh, headlined the plenary session and provided an over-view on why methane reductions in India are important and how the Methane to Markets Partnership can contribute. While in India, CMOP staff met with the Ministry of Coal, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and the Coal Mine Planning and Design Institute to discuss the 2007 establishment of the India Coalbed Methane/Coal Mine Methane Clearinghouse in Ranchi and Delhi. India and the U.S. are founding country partners of the Methane to Markets Partnership to reduce global methane emissions.
March 1, 2007 - US Trade Mission and Orientation Visit Updates
- US Department of Commerce Clean-Energy Technologies Trade Mission to India and China
The U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration will lead a Clean-Energy Technologies Trade Mission to India and China in April of 2007. This mission aims to match participating U.S. companies with opportunities in these fast-growing markets. Commerce Assistant Secretary David Bohigian will lead the Clean-Energy Technologies Trade Mission.
The mission will target a broad range of clean energy technologies such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean coal and distributed generation, all industries related to the Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (APP). The APP is a public-private partnership including six partner countries, representing half of the world's economy, population, and energy consumption: Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and the United States. Member countries work together to break down policy barriers and facilitate commercial deployment of technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy security.
More information about Clean-Energy Technologies Trade Mission >>
More information regarding APP >> - Ukraine CMM / CBM Orientation Visit to US Re-Scheduled for April 2007
The previously scheduled Orientation Visit for the Ukraine-Donestsk Coal Bed Methane (CBM) / Coal Mine Methane (CMM) delegation, sponsored by the U.S. Trade & Development Agency (USTDA), has been rescheduled. The delegates will now travel to the U.S. April 29 – May 8, 2007. Eight Ukrainian coal mine specialists and Donestsk Regional Government Administration (DRGA) representatives and one U.S. Commercial Service official from the Kiev office are participating in the orientation visit to learn about U.S. technologies, products, and management methodologies in the CBM / CMM sector. The major project in the Ukraine is a new CBM / CMM mining facility in the Donestsk region. The Ukrainian participants are decision-makers who are in the market for CBM / CMM extraction and processing equipment.
A key highlight of the orientation is the Business Briefing, planned for May 4, 2007, in Morgantown, West Virginia, at the Lakeview Golf Resort & Spa. For updated information, please refer to the Web site: www.mseov.com. The early registration fee ($30) for the business briefing is available through April 13. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
For additional information about the Orientation Visit please contact Mr. Dale Rice at +1 (703) 961-0710 or via email at darice@mse-environmental.com.
February 22, 2007 - International Coal Mining News
- Russia: SUEK and Gazprom to merge
Gazprom, the Russian state gas monopoly, announced in early February that it would merge its power business with SUEK, Russia's largest coal producer. Gazprom is the world's largest gas producer and supplies about one-quarter of Europe's gas. In the February 8 announcement, Gazprom stated that the new joint venture would combine Gazprom's power assets and SUEK's coal and power business, with Gazprom in control of 50 percent plus one share of the venture. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2007.
In 2006, SUEK produced nearly 90 million tonnes of coal and accounted for 20 percent of Russia's coal exports. The move is expected to increase the use of coal in Russia's power sector and reduce the use of natural gas domestically, and will likely to lead to increased natural gas exports.
- Ukraine: Zasyadko Coal Mine to receive two drilling rigs; Bazhanova mine suffers explosion
The Zasyadko coal mine in the Donetsk region of Ukraine announced last week that it will invest 100 million UAH (nearly US $20 million) into commissioning 12 coal mine gas generating plants with a total capacity of 36 megawatts by 2008. The mine has reached an agreement with the Dreco company (Canada) for delivery of two drilling rigs. The In 2006, the Zasyadko mine sold its quotas for greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol to Austria and Japan.
Earlier last week, a methane leak at the Bazhanova mine in the eastern Donetsk region killed 3 miners, while at least 32 miners escaped uninjured. Ukrainian coal mines are noted for containing high levels of gas which lead to many coal mining explosions and accidents.
- Colombia: Two separate explosions kill 40 coal miners within a week
In early February, two separate explosions at Colombian coal mines proved deadly. An underground coal mine explosion caused by methane in northeast Colombia killed 32 miners. Three days later, a similar explosion at a central Colombian mine killed 8 miners. Coal is Colombia's second largest legally exported commodity behind oil.
February 8, 2007 - Coal Mining in the News
Germany plans to end subsidies, close hard coal mines by 2018.
In late January, the German government agreed on a plan to end state subsidies for the coal industry by 2018. These subsidies amount to $2.5 billion per year (US $3.23 billion). Part of the subsidies will be redirected toward creating jobs in the hardest-hit regions of Saarland and North Rhine-Westphalia. The agreement, which has been approved by the mining trade union and by the RAG conglomerate that operates the mines, calls for the plan to be reviewed in 2012.
Ending the subsidies will effectively shutting down Germany's coal mining sector in favor of cheaper imported materials. The German coal industry currently employs about 34,000 workers at 8 active coal mines. The cost of coal production in Germany is three times higher than in Australia or China, with coal from the Ruhr region costing as much as $120 per metric ton. Half of Germany's electricity is generated by coal, and there are still an estimated seven billion metric tons remaining.
For more information, see:
http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,463172,00.html
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/01/30/business/EU-FIN-ECO-Germany-Coal-Industry.php
January 18, 2007 - Increasing numbers of coal mine methane projects in the Clean Development Mechanism Pipeline of Projects
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, a total of 950 Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects entered the pipeline of projects in 2006. There are currently 23 coalbed methane / coal mine methane projects in the pipeline. 22 of these projects are at the validation stage. All but one of the CBM/CMM projects in the CDM pipeline are located in China; the other project is in South Africa.
In December 2006, the first coal mine methane CDM project requested registration. This project, the Huaibei Haizi and Luling Coal Mine Methane Utilization Project in China, is a 16.5 MW project that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 296,000 tons CO2 equivalent annually.
There are currently eight coalbed methane / coal mine methane projects listed in the Joint Implementation (JI) Pipeline, all at the validation stage. These projects include three located in Ukraine, two in Russia, and three in Germany.
More information about these projects >>
More information about the Clean Development Mechanism >>
More information about the approved consolidated methodology for coalbed methane and coal mine methane >>
More information about the Joint Implementation process >>
January 4, 2007 - Methane to Markets Workshop: Advancing Project Development in India through Public Private Partnerships
22 – 23 February 2007 – New Delhi, India
This two-day conference on the Methane to Markets Partnership (M2M) and methane recovery and use project opportunities in India will provide an introduction to the Partnership and specific technical and project level discussions in three industry sectors: coal mining, landfills, and oil and natural gas.
The Methane to Markets Partnership is an action-oriented initiative to advance the recovery and use of methane as a clean energy source. Reducing global methane emissions will enhance economic growth, promote energy security, improve the environment, and reduce greenhouse gases. Other benefits include improving mine safety, reducing waste and improving local air quality.
The conference is being hosted by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), the Government of India Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MOPNG) and the Government of India Ministry of Power (MOP).
The conference will be held on February 22 – 23, 2007, at the Federation House, Tansen Marg, New Delhi, India. The agenda will include:
- Introduction to the Methane to Markets Partnership
- Sector Overview (Coal, Landfills, Oil and Gas)
- Methane Recovery and Use Technologies and Opportunities
- Case Studies
- Discussion of Public-Private Collaboration
- Discussion of Opportunities to Advance Project Development in India
More information and for registration >>
More information about the Methane to Markets Partnership >>