Miller, Colleagues Reintroduce Methane Reduction and Economic Growth Act

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) and her colleagues Representatives Terri Sewell (D-AL), Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), and Chris Deluzio (D-PA) introduced the Methane Reduction and Economic Growth Act. This bipartisan bill focuses on capturing and repurposing mine methane emissions from active and abandoned mines to be used as an energy source across the United States. 

Click here for bill text. 

Click here for Axios' exclusive on the Methane Reduction and Economic Growth Act.

“Coal has powered the United States for generations, and I’m making sure it continues to fuel our homes, businesses, and economy," said Congresswoman Miller. "Expanding the Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage tax credit is an important first step to secure our economic and energy success. If we can take mine methane emissions and turn them into an energy source, the United States will remain dominant on the global stage. The Methane Reduction and Economic Growth Act is a win for energy security, clean air, and the American economy."

“Methane is one of the leading contributors to climate change, which is why Congress must incentivize innovative approaches to reduce emissions such as methane capture technology,” said Congresswoman Sewell. “This legislation will help create new jobs in Jefferson & Tuscaloosa Counties while simultaneously cleaning up our air and advancing environmental justice.”

“Our tax code currently incentivizes the capture of carbon oxide emissions – but not mine methane, which accounts for a tenth of all U.S. methane emissions,” said Congressman Reschenthaler. “This omission should be added to boost America’s energy security and spur new economic production in southwestern Pennsylvania. I thank Representatives Miller and Sewell for their leadership in spearheading the commonsense Methane Reduction and Economic Growth Act that supports the proper capture and utilization of mine methane.”

"This bill will incentivize efforts to capture methane emissions from mines and to turn them into a source powering our grid and economy,” said Congressman Deluzio. “I am proud to join my colleagues to support the bipartisan Methane Reduction and Economic Growth Act’s efforts to create jobs, reduce mine methane emissions, strengthen energy security, and clean up our air.”
 
“This is a perfect example of how Washington ought to work,” said Cecil E. Roberts, International President of the United Mine Workers of America. “This is strong bi-partisan legislation that will grow coalfield jobs, support coalfield communities and help reduce methane emissions. It is a win-win for workers and communities across Appalachia and I thank Representatives Carol Miller and Terri Sewell for taking the lead. The UMWA wholeheartedly supports this legislation and will work to secure its passage.”
 
"Capturing and utilizing mine methane—a largely untapped domestic energy resource—will help us to truly unleash America’s energy dominance,” said Mike Moore, executive director of the Waste Gas Capture Initiative (WGCI). “Thanks to Congresswoman Miller and her colleagues’ introduction of this legislation today, Congress and President Trump can help our country leverage mine methane capture to create good-paying jobs in rural communities, lower energy costs through increased production, support a healthy and thriving coal industry in the United States, and allow America to reclaim our energy security."
 
Background:

• 10% of U.S. methane emissions are made up of methane gas released from abandoned mines. The Methane Reduction and Economic Growth Act will reduce mine methane emissions, create jobs, enhance energy security, and clean up local environments.
• This bill will amend section 45Q of the Internal Revenue Code to qualify methane, which otherwise would’ve been released as a greenhouse gas emission, to be acquitted equivalent to the capture of CO2.