Coal Bed Methane: Doing It Right

OVERVIEW

Northern Plains has taken the lead in ensuring coal bed methane is developed responsibly in Montana. Drawing on the insights of scientific and technical experts, along with farmers, ranchers, sportsmen, and other concerned citizens, Northern Plains developed Doing It Right: A Blueprint for Responsible Coal Bed Methane Development in Montana. The Doing It Right campaign builds on this groundbreaking report, holding the coal bed methane industry accountable and educating the public.

All Montanans rely on energy to light their homes and power their cars. Fortunately, here in Montana we have an abundant supply of natural resources, including coal bed methane -- a form of natural gas held in coal seams by water pressure. But, irresponsible development of methane brings substantial risks to Montana’s agricultural economy.

The billions of gallons of water drawn out of our aquifers for methane extraction are generally suitable for drinking and watering livestock, but are consistently unsafe for crops and soils in Montana due to high levels of sodium and other salts. Methane development also brings with it significant land and wildlife disturbances—estimated at over 1.5 million acres of land—to accommodate the necessary pipelines, roads, compressor stations, transmission lines, wastewater containment ponds, and well pads.

Over half of the methane in Montana is owned by the federal government and the majority of the federal methane underlies private property. Federal mineral rights have supremacy over private property rights, giving companies unlimited access to mineral resources beneath private property.

Right now, Northern Plains is focusing our work to ensure methane extraction is done responsibly in two areas:

• Ensuring Montanans know your water rights.
  
• Strengthening protections for landowners who don't own the minerals under their land

LEARN MORE:

• Download our Doing It Right brochure (PDF 258K)
  
• Its you're land, now find out about your rights! (PDF 306K)
  
• Read about methane extraction in depth
• View pictures of methane extraction on the ground