Standard issued for methane

The country's first emission standard for coalbed methane will take effect in July, the newly created Ministry of Environmental Protection said yesterday in a statement.

Methane (CH4) is a greenhouse gas that traps 20 times more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide (CO2).

The standard makes it illegal for coalbed methane and other mine gases that comprise more than 30 percent CH4 to be discharged into the air.