Skip to main content
H.R. 4186 102nd Congress House

Coalbed Methane Development Act of 1992

Official title: To amend the Mineral Leasing Act to facilitate the development of coalbed methane gas.

Introduced: February 5, 1992 See on congress.gov
Energy CoalEnergy policyIllinoisIndiana
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
KentuckyMethaneMines and mineral resourcesMining leasesOhioPennsylvaniaState lawsTennesseeWest Virginia
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
This bill died when the 102nd Congress ended
It never became law before the 102nd Congress (1991–1992) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 7 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 9, 1992
See H.R.776.
Mar 10, 1992
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended).
Mar 10, 1992
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 9, 1992
Unfavorable Executive Comment Received from Interior.
Mar 5, 1992
Referred to the Subcommittee on Mining and Natural Resources.
Feb 5, 1992
Referred to the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs.
Feb 5, 1992
Introduced in House
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Latest action April 9, 1992

See H.R.776.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Coalbed Methane Development Act of 1992 - Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to publish in the Federal Register a list of States ("affected States") where: (1) there is legal uncertainty regarding methane gas ownership; (2) such uncertainty impedes development of significant deposits of coalbed methane gas; (3) no legal scheme is in effect which permits and encourages coalbed methane gas development prior to the resolution of ownership of the gas; and (4) there is no extensive development of coalbed methane gas. Names West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Indiana, and Illinois as affected States as of enactment of this Act.

Requires affected States to establish State agencies or instrumentalities ("State Boards") to promulgate regulations for the expeditious and economical development of coalbed methane gas deposits. Prescribes coalbed gas development and drilling guidelines.

Proscribes the drilling of any well for coalbed methane gas production without State Board approval.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 1078 Text similarities National Coal and Extractive Energy Strategy Act of 1991
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4186: Coalbed Methane Development Act of 1992. 102nd Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-4186/
MLA
"H.R. 4186: Coalbed Methane Development Act of 1992." 102nd Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-4186/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4186, 102nd Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-4186/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4186: Coalbed Methane Development Act of 1992](https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-4186/)
Report a problem