by John Koscelny

Created on: October 27, 2008   Last Updated: November 02, 2008

Coal bed methane gas production is very lucrative and will help the United States lessen it dependence on foreign oil and natural gas. Compromises will have to be made between what happens to the landscape and the need to keep this country number one in the world. I have seen coal bed methane production in Oklahoma and Southeast Kansas and I am very familar with the environmental impact as well as the economic impact upon the community. Saying that the drilling and production of coal bed methane gas is destroying the land for the sake of fuel is really farfetched. You can have responsible drilling and production that will cause less permanent damage to the environment than the building of the suburbs of Saint Louis or Des Monies.

First, lets look at what goes into the drilling and production of a well, yes, road will have to be built, soil moved to drill the well but with the right environmental approach these companies will cause very little damage. The wells may last 15 years maximum then they can come in clean up the location and within the a few years you will have a hard time knowing were the well was at. Second, lines for the production of the gas and water will have to laid to tank batteries and the water disposed of in an environmentally safe way. This is done very efficiently and while the tanks can be unsightly is this any worst than the parking lots that pave a large percentage of this country or for the local Bass Pro Shop? Then there is the compressor stations, usually they are painted, although their is some noise pollution from these is it any worse than the train blowing his whistle at every intersection. When was the last time you saw an enviromentalist complain about the noise pollution of a freight train? You will also have an influx of workers to drill and do the work on these wells, they will pay taxes and thus help the local communities and schools. It is a win-win for all involved. Again let me state, after the gas is gone they can go in and clean up the sites to pre-drilling conditions or better, can you say that about the parking lot that Bass Pro Shop paved over?

Our country needs these wells, we would not be in the financial shape and would not be fighting a war if we hadn't as a country became so dependent upon foreign oil. We created the terrorist that bomb us on 9-11-2001 by buying their oil! If we hadn't bought their oil and made them rich, they would not have had the money to bomb us. If we as a country can become energy independent then we are not at the mercy of alot people around the world who would like to see us fail. Don't get me wrong we need alternative energy but until we get there natural gas is our bridge to getting us to this point.

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