Nebraska officials ought to be apprehensive about a proposal last week from Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal.

In his state of the state address, Freudenthal suggested dumping water from coal-bed methane operations in Wyoming into the Platte River.

The proposal would achieve two goals for Wyoming. It would help the state meet its obligation to provide a minimum flow in the Platte. In addition, it would be a convenient way to dispose of a troublesome byproduct of the methane gas recovery operation.

Problem is, Freudenthal’s plan could lead to contamination in Nebraska.

Produced during methane gas recovery, the water must be pumped to the surface in order to reduce the water pressure that keeps the gas trapped in the seams of the coal bed. Millions of gallons are produced during recovery operations.

Water from methane-rich coal beds often has high saline levels and contains other minerals. High saline levels can harm to fish and other wildlife and can degrade soil quality when used for irrigation.

“While economic quantities of methane can be produced, water disposal options that are environmentally acceptable and yet economically feasible are a concern,” according to a U.S. Geological Survey fact sheet.

Wyoming already has more than 3,000 methane-producing wells. Over the next 10 years, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation estimates, that figure could rise to more than 50,000.

The Casper Star-Tribune reported last week that several producers are preparing to tap into the Big George, believed to be the largest methane-producing coal vein in the Powder River Basin.

Montana residents are pressuring the industry to stop piping its waste water from methane operations into streams and rivers that flow into the state. Gov. Brian Schweitzer already has voiced support for sending the water to Nebraska. “That’s a proposal to get that salty water out of the Powder River Basin or the Tongue River Basin … if they can place it someplace other than rivers that flow into Montana, we’re supporters,” Schweitzer said.

One alternative is to reinject the waste water into the underground aquifer. The drawback is that it is expensive. It’s uncertain whether the tainted water can be successfully decontaminated on a large-scale basis.

There are still unknowns about the actual level of salinity that would be present in the waste water, and the actual threat that it would present when the waste water is diluted by normal stream flows.

But the fact that the Wyoming Legislature is considering a $500,000 study to determine the feasibility of building a pipeline from the gas wells to the Platte should be enough for Nebraska officials to start think about ways to protect their state’s interests.

This editorial was reprinted with permission from the Lincoln, Neb., Journal Star.