Coalbed Methane Outreach Program (CMOP)

CMOP is a voluntary program whose goal is to reduce methane emissions from coal mining activities. Our mission is to promote the profitable recovery and use of coal mine methane (CMM), a greenhouse gas more than 20 times as potent as carbon dioxide. By working cooperatively with coal companies and related industries, CMOP helps to identify and implement methods to use CMM instead of emitting it to the atmosphere. In turn, these actions mitigate climate change, improve mine safety and productivity, and generate revenues and cost savings.

CMOP's goal is to reduce methane emissions from coalbeds by promoting the profitable recovery and use of coal mine methane.

Since CMOP began in 1994, the U.S. coal industry has captured and used 308 billion cubic feet (Bcf) (8.7 billion cubic meters) of coal mine methane (CMM). This is the equivalent of removing 124 million metric tonnes (MMT) of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The economic benefits are significant. The 10 active mines in the U.S. with projects operating in 2002 utilized 44 Bcf (1.2 billion cubic meters), which offset almost 18 MMT of carbon dioxide emissions. In turn, this provided enough energy to heat 638,000 homes. Additionally, by working to maximize the amount of gas recovered from their drainage systems, these projects greatly reduced mine ventilation costs and improved safety conditions for miners.

To date, all CMM captured and used from active mines in the U.S. is recovered by degasification systems. The 44 Bcf used in 2002 constitutes 85% of the total volume of all CMM produced by degasification systems. This compares to a market penetration of 59% in 1994. It is especially notable that total CMM emissions (underground, surface, and post-mining emissions) have declined by 36% since 1990. Although 50% of this decline is due to industry restructuring, the remaining 50% is due to the coal industry's proactive role in recovering methane.