﻿CASPER, Wyo. — A new way to generate coalbed methane now has some proposed rules for companies who want to use the process.

State oil and gas regulators have opened public comment on rules to regulate the feeding of naturally occuring microbes that eat underground coal and produce natural gas.

Two companies, Luca Technologies and Ciris Energy Inc., tout the underground feeding method as a way to create methane gas from coal beds, and they’ve pushed state regulators and lawmakers to approve rules to allow them to begin operations in Wyoming.

The companies use similar but different processes, but would both be regulated under the new rules.

Luca pumps nutrients underground to the microbes, and Ciris uses a process that breaks down the coal into a solution for easy feeding by the microbes.

Luca Technologies didn’t respond to a request for comment. Ciris Energy project manager Brian Ault said his company appreciates the work by lawmakers and regulators.

“Ciris Energy is anxiously anticipating the rules becoming final, enabling a pathway for implementation of this exciting new technology,” he said.