SB13-003: Coal Mine Methane Gas Capture

• Establishes a greenhouse gas mitigation project to capture methane from active and inactive coal mines that would otherwise escape to the atmosphere.

• Counts each kilowatt-hour of electricity generated from captured coal mine methane as one kilowatt-hour toward compliance with Colorado's renewable energy standard.

• Limits coal mine methane electricity to a maximum of 50 megawatts of nameplate capacity for renewable energy standard compliance.

• Requires verification of methane capture and combustion by a qualified third party following established carbon offset protocols for climate protection.

• Takes effect August 7, 2013, unless subject to a referendum petition, in which case it requires approval by voters at the November 2014 general election.