Written question asked by Joan Walley (Labour) on Monday, 29 April 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 7 May 2002. It was answered by Michael Meacher (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 May 2002 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the impact on (a) air quality and (b) greenhouse gas emission targets of the venting of coalbed methane gas released by drilling and fracturing of the coalseam to the atmosphere; and if she will make a statement. - Inc figure.

Answer: Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact on (a) air quality and (b) greenhouse gas emission targets of the venting of coalbed methane gas released by drilling and fracturing of the coalseam to the atmosphere; and if she will make a statement. [53793] Mr. Meacher: Methane vented from working coal mines is included in the UK National Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions. For 2000, methane emissions from working coal mines was 5.04 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, less than one per cent. of the UK's total Greenhouse Gas Emissions. At current atmospheric levels methane does not have adverse air quality impacts. Deliberate drilling of undisturbed seams, fracturing the coal and pumping can be used to produce methane. Using this gas would be similar to using natural gas, though not absolutely identical because the composition differs slightly. The emissions consequences of natural gas burning are well-understood.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 53793; 385 c54W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Coal Air pollution Climate change Mining Pollution control Standards Gases Methane
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk