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to Comments <br />• <br /> <br />Table 5-1 <br />DEIS Comments and Responses <br />Commenter Comment Coanment/Response <br /> <br /> 10% of U.S. methane emissions.' <br /> The Department of Energy reported that in 2003, coal mine methane <br /> emissions amounted for nearly 29 million metric tons in the United States, or <br /> the equivalent of 60.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide.18 In fact, the <br /> Department of Energy has even analyzed the global warming impacts of coal <br /> mine methane in Enviromnental Impact Statements required under NEPA in <br /> the context of authorizing new coal fired power plants.19 Furtherniore, the <br /> U.S. Enviromnental Protection Agency has stated: <br /> After removing coal mine methane from a mine, some companies use it as <br /> fuel, but most simply emit it to the atmosphere. Because methane is a <br /> greenhouse gas, this contributes to global warming. In fact, methane <br /> significantly contributes to global warming because it is approximately 21 <br /> tunes more potent (as a greenhouse gas) than carbon dioxide.`0 <br /> In light of the Department of Energy's finding that methane emissions have <br /> "environmental consequences," as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection <br /> Agency's recognition that methane "significantly contributes to global <br /> warming," it is unclear how the USFS could possibly conclude methane <br /> emissions area "non-significant issue." At the least, there is no explanation <br /> and no analysis supporting the USFS's rationale and decision to ignore global <br /> warming as a significant enviromnental impact, in violation of NEPA. <br /> RESPONSE: As far as this project is concenied, global warming is outside <br /> the scope. The Forest Service does not measure global warning, nor does it <br /> dispute that methane is a greenhouse gas with 21 times the global warning <br /> potential of carbon dioxide and may contribute to climate change. Quantities <br /> of estimated methane release have been added to the FEIS (Chapter 3, Air <br /> Quality Section). <br />Deer Creek Ventilation Shaft and E Seam Methane Drainage Wells FEIS <br />191 <br />