Assumptions to the Annual Energy Outlook 2003

Table 3. Coal-Related Methane Assumptions

 

Northern Appalachia

Central Appalachia

Southern Appalachia

Eastern Interior

 

Western

Fraction of underground coal production at:

         

    Gassy mines

    0.885

     0.368

     0.971

     0.876

     0.681

    Nongassy mines

    0.115

     0.632

     0.029

     0.124

     0.319

           

Production from mines with degasification systems   (fraction of underground production)

 

   0.541

   

     0.074

 

     0.810

 

     0.067

 

     0.056

           

Emission factors (kilograms methane per short  ton of coal produced)

         

Underground Mining

         

    Gassy mines

    6.047

     5.641

     27.346

     2.988

      6.027

    Nongassy mines

    0.362

     0.076

     15.959

     0.285

      0.245

    Degassified mines

    4.085

   37.724

     22.025

     0.310

      0.000

Surface Mining

    0.706

     0.706

       0.706

     0.706

      0.706

           

Post-Mining, underground-mined

    1.505

     1.505

       1.505

     1.505

      1.505

Post-Mining, surface-mined

    0.061

     0.061

       0.061

      0.061

      0.061

Methane recovery at active coal mines (million metric tons carbon equivalent)

United States

                2001

    4.400

       

                2005

    4.645

       

                2010

    4.970

       

                2015

    5.317

       

                2020

    5.689

       

                2025

    6.087

       
Source:  Emissions factors and data sources from Energy Information Administration, Emissions of Greenhouse Gases in the United States 20001, DOE/EIA-0573(2001), (Washington, DC, December 2002).