Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the Virginia Gas and Oil Board intends to consider promulgating the following regulation: 4VAC25-165, Regulations Governing the Use of Arbitration to Resolve Coalbed Methane Gas Ownership Disputes. The purpose of the proposed action is to administer the arbitration process mandated in Chapter 442 of the 2010 Acts of Assembly. The act created a voluntary arbitration process for parties with conflicting claims of ownership of coalbed methane gas.

The agency intends to hold a public hearing on the proposed action after publication in the Virginia Register.

Statutory Authority: §§ 45.1-361.15 and 45.1-361.22:1 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Comment Deadline: February 16, 2011.

Agency Contact: Michael Skiffington, Regulatory Coordinator, Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, 1100 Bank Street, 8th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219-3402, telephone (804) 692-3212, FAX (804) 692-3237, TTY (800) 828-1120, or email michael.skiffington@dmme.virginia.gov.