Recipient:  Colorado School of Mines
Address:    1500 Illinois Ave.  Golden, CO  80403
Amount requested: $500,000
Project description:  The goal of the research is to promote joint sustainability of water resources and energy production.  The research program will study representative watersheds in the Rocky Mountains states where natural gas production is occurring and where water resources management and energy production exhibit a stakeholder conflict.  The study will determine where water co-produced from energy extraction could augment fresh water supplies and enhance both water and energy sustainability.  Basins that contain coalbed methane are particularly relevant to this research.  Emphasis will be on modeling techniques to better classify tributary or surface water bodies, techniques to minimize co-production of tributary water, reclamation techniques and feasibility of treatment technologies.

Use of Taxpayer Dollars:  This is a wise use of taxpayer dollars because the research conducted at CSM on produced water will reduce the negative aspects of coalbed methane production on Colorado’s land users.  Resolving these disputes through scientific research will yield positive results for all stakeholders.