Dr. Pramod C Thakur is the president of a consulting firm, Expert Solutions for Mine Safety (ESMS) LLC, in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA, and an adjunct professor at the West Virginia University. He served the coal industry for 50 years. He began his career designing mine ventilation with Andrew Yule & Co for 8 years. During his last 42 years with CONOCO, CONSOL Energy and Murray Energy, he developed four different techniques for mine degasification and coalbed methane production. He researched respirable dust control and diesel exhaust dispersion at the Pennsylvania State University. These techniques are used not only in the United States but also in many countries overseas. Appointed by the Governor of West Virginia, he served as a commissioner for 18 years and wrote the WV Diesel Regulations that serves as a model for the global coal industry. He is a distinguished alumnus of IIT(ISM), India, and a Centennial Fellow of the Pennsylvania State University. He is a member of the Society of Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME), USA, since 1969. He has written four books on mine ventilation and coalbed methane control and published more than 50 papers in technical journals. He has been awarded the Howard Hartmann and Howard Eavenson Award for excellent work in mine ventilation engineering and mine health and safety by the SME. Steven Schatzel, PhD, is Lead Research Scientist in the Office of Mine Safety and Health Research at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health in Pittsburgh. The three editors of the publication are board members of the North American Coal Bed Methane Forum (NACBMF), and they represent industry, academia and government. Each has more than 25 years of experience in coal bed methane research, field work, and instruction. The NACBMF has organized conferences to advance mine safety and to increase production of coal bed methane as a worldwide energy resource. For 28 years the Forum has provided an opportunity for an exchange of information on coal bed methane research and technology between the public and private sectors. The NACBMF is governed by a Board of Directors and consists of representatives from the coal bed methane industry, coal and gas industries, gas marketing and service industries. The length and breadth of experience embodied in the NACBMF Board of Directors makes this group exceedingly qualified to produce this book. Kashy Aminian, PhD, is Professor of Petroleum and Natural Gas Exploration and Engineering in the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia.The three editors of the publication are board members of the North American Coal Bed Methane Forum (NACBMF), and they represent industry, academia and government. Each has more than 25 years of experience in coal bed methane research, field work, and instruction. The NACBMF has organized conferences to advance mine safety and to increase production of coal bed methane as a worldwide energy resource. For 28 years the Forum has provided an opportunity for an exchange of information on coal bed methane research and technology between the public and private sectors. The NACBMF is governed by a Board of Directors and consists of representatives from the coal bed methane industry, coal and gas industries, gas marketing and service industries. The length and breadth of experience embodied in the NACBMF Board of Directors makes this group exceedingly qualified to produce this book.
