The Joint Minerals, Business and Economic Development Interim Committee ran out of time Friday to discuss Senate File 46, providing for the management of coal-bed methane waters.

   Senator Grant Larson, R-Jackson, said SF 46 will be fully debated on Monday, within the Senate Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee, starting after the noon break and continuing, if necessary, after adjournment.

  

   At first glance, the bill appears to be focused on curtailing excess surface discharges, but the Powder River Basin Resource Council (PRBRC) is opposing the bill, because of an amendment suggested by the Petroleum Association of Wyoming (PAW).

 

   PRBRC representative Jill Morrison alleges that the PAW-favored amendment negates the intent of the bill, by allowing the natural capacity of drainage channels to be exceeded if an upstream landowner consents to the excess capacity.

  

   PAW officials were unable to comment, as they were already on the highway back to PAW headquarters in Casper.

  

   The debate between PRBRC and PAW should be a lively one on Monday.
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