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Happy Holidays! In addition to everything we are thankful for here in Alaska, we are also thankful that Governor Murkowski recently suggested state buybacks of the coal bed methane leases that have been issued so far in places like the Mat-Su and Homer - controversial leases that occurred with barely a trace of public notice.

Coal bed methane (CBM) development in Alaska is certain to result in adverse impacts to property rights, public lands, and the quality of life for targeted communities. Furthermore, only a few of the needed regulations exist to prevent damage from CBM development, the state is only beginning its process to identify regulatory gaps, and there was inadequate notice to property owners and their neighbors when leasing occurred.  As a result, the state should buy back all coal bed methane leases which have been issued to date, and abstain from further leasing until sensible safeguards have been adopted.