Title: Polish gas from Polish coal: environmental benefits

Authors: Neil Collins

Addresses: Director, Environmental Affairs, J. Makowski Company, Inc., 1 Bowdoin Square, Boston, MA 021 14, USA; Elektrogaz Ventures, Ltd., 'Intraco' Bldg. (22nd floor), 2 Stawki Str., 00-193 Warsaw, Poland

Abstract: The development of coalbed methane gas from Polish coal offers a significant opportunity to reduce noxious pollutant emissions associated with coal combustion. A review of energy supply and consumption within Poland, and of available coalbed methane resources, indicates that use of coalbed methane could eliminate 40-60 million tonnes of sulfur dioxide and particulates from the atmosphere, save US$3 billion in pollution control equipment investment, and provide 10 000 jobs. Regional and international trading of emission control credits, available by fuel switches from coal to coalbed methane gas, should be encouraged to allow external investment in environmental improvements in Poland|s industry and cities.

Keywords: air pollution; coal combustion; coalbed methane gas; emissions trading; Poland; pollution control costs; environmental pollution.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.1994.028353

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 1994 Vol.4 No.1/2, pp.139 - 150

Published online: 17 Sep 2009 *

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