Document Nez2Xjzx225zxp1mymRGmaBBy

Message From: Sent: To: CC: Subject: Jones, Enesta [/0=EXCHANGELABS/OU=EXCHANGE ADMINISTRATIVE GROUP (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=65B8E6C6E5CA4A7A9AE85D98A4C8EEDB-EJONES02] 5/30 /2 0 1 8 2:02:07 PM mark.olalde Ex. 6 Press [/o=E x^angeL'aW ou=E xchange A d m in istra tive Group (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/cn=Recipients/cn=b293283291dc44eOb5dlc36be9281d8a-Press] media request Mark, On background: Is the EPA continuing research and/or data collection regarding coalbed methane? If so, which aspects of this topic are being researched? Coalbed methane (CBM) refers to methane that is found in coal seams. It is formed during the process o f coalification, the transformation o f plant material into coal. CBM is also known as virgin coal seam methane or coal seam gas. It is widely considered an "unconventional" source o f natural gas. Coal mine methane (CMM) is released from the coal and surrounding rock strata due to mining activities. In underground mines, it can create an explosive hazard to coal miners, so it is removed through ventilation systems. In abandoned mines and surface mines, methane might also escape to the atmosphere through natural fissures or other diffuse sources. Like CBM, CMM is a subset o f the methane found in coal seams, but it refers specifically to the methane found within mining areas (e.g., within a mining plan), while CBM refers to methane in coal seams that will never be mined. Because CMM would be released through mining activities, recovering and using CMM is considered emissions avoidance. E P A 's Coalbed Methane Outreach Program (CMOP) works cooperatively with the mining industry and other stakeholders to reduce CMM emissions. Is the "c o a lb e d m ethane outreach program " still active, and what are its current efforts? Yes. The Coalbed Methane Outreach Program (CMOP) works with the coal mining industry to support project development, overcome institutional, technical, regulatory, and financial barriers to implementation, and communicate the benefits o f CMM recovery. Activities include: o Identifying, evaluating, and promoting methane reduction options, including technological innovations and markets mechanisms to encourage project implementation. o Conducting an d/or participating in workshops to educate the mining industry and the broader community on the environmental, mine safety, and economic benefits o f methane recovery. o Preparing and disseminating reports and other materials that address topics ranging from technical and economic analyses to overviews o f legal issues. o Interfacing with all facets o f the mining industry to advance project development. Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00014303-00001 o Providing global access to information regarding latest developments through our website --you can find a number o f recently technical publications online and we are in the process o f updating numerous documents over the coming months. W hat international efforts are o n goin g to engage with foreign governments, agencies, etc. on the topic o f coalbed methane? CM OP continues to develop partnerships and engage in international outreach to promote CMM recovery and reduce CMM emissions globally in support o f the Global Methane Initiative (GM I). CM OP supports CMM information clearinghouses and other collaborative efforts in several countries, including China.. Colombia, India. Kazakhstan. Mongolia. Poland, and Turkey. Please visit this site for more information on efforts to reduce CMM emissions globally. The EPA has released several reports into the areas where coalbed methane has the highest potential for capture. Are there ongoing efforts in the agency to promote capture at these or other coal operations? E P A 's Coalbed Methane Outreach Program updated its ''Identifying Opportunities for Methane Recovery at U.S. Coal Mines: Profiles o f Selected Gassy Underground Coal Mines 2007-2015" document in January 2018 and will soon be updating the document with 2016 data from the U.S. Inventory. CM OP continues to promote opportunities to capture and utilize methane from these gassy unground mines. Are there ongoing partnerships with industry members or others to curtail coalbed methane emissions? The Global Methane Initiative (GMI) is a is an international public-private initiative that advances cost effective, near-term methane abatement and recovery projects and the use o f methane as a clean energy source. Activities o f the GMI are focused on reducing informational, institutional, and market barriers to project development by making available tools and resources, providing training and capacity building, conducting technology demonstrations, and offering direct project support. There are many active industry members within this partnership. Referred to as Project Network members, these private and non-profit sector stakeholders add tremendous value to the GMI, working with Partner countries to advance the capture and use o f CMM worldwide. We welcome additional members to the Project Network and have several upcoming opportunities for them to get involved. Please visit the GMI Events page online here for a list o f upcoming activities. From: Mark Olalde Ex. 6 D ate: May 25, 2018 ztW :W M 'K M E D T To: jones.enesta@epa.gov Subject: m edia request Dear Ms. Jones, Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00014303-00002 I hope this finds you well. I am a freelance journalist writing a piece about coalbed methane for Climate Home News. I left a voicemail, as well, but please find several questions listed below. I f the E P A would like to provide answers for this story, I would need those by noon on Wednesday to guarantee they meet my deadline. Because this is not a breaking news story, there is a chance that the story gets held a few days for edits. Because o f that, please feel free to pass along any responses that come in after noon on Wednesday, and I will still tty my best to get them in the story if it is not published yet. --Is the EP A continuing research and/or data collection regarding coalbed methane? I f so, which aspects o f this topic are being researched? --Is the "coalbed methane outreach program" still active, and what are its current efforts? --What international efforts are ongoing to engage with foreign governments, agencies, etc. on the topic o f coalbed methane? --The E P A has released several reports into the areas where coalbed methane has the highest potential for capture. Are there ongoing efforts in the agency to promote capture at these or other coal operations? --Are there ongoing partnerships with industry members or others to curtail coalbed methane emissions? Thanks very much for your assistance, and please do not hesitate to reach out at this email or at the mobile number in my signature regarding this story. Best, Mark Olalde Freelance journalist ! Ex. 6 L____________________________________________________________ www.MarkC31alde.coin Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00014303-00003