1312 authorities reports with a verification statement containing data on annual methane emissions at the source level. From 1 January 2025, station operators are required to notify the competent authority of all events related to the release into the atmosphere and combustion of gas in a flare with a nominal combustion efficiency below the 99% level caused by an emergency or malfunction or unavoidable due to for the maintenance of the methane drainage system. As regards the application of measures to limit methane emissions, the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 prohibit: - from 1 January 2025, flaring gas combustion - with a nominal combustion efficiency of below 99% - and methane release from methane drainage systems, except in an emergency or malfunction or when it is unavoidable and absolutely necessary for maintenance purposes, - from 1 January 2027 - except in an emergency - the release of methane into the atmosphere from ventilation shafts in coal mines emitting more than five tonnes of methane per kilotonne of coal extracted, and from 1 January 2031, more than three tonnes of methane per kilotonne of coal extracted other than coking coal mines. 4. IMPLEMENTATION OF METHANE REGULATIONS IN POLAND The President of the State Mining Authority is the central government administration body operating under the supervision of the minister responsible for energy resources management, the relevant authority in matters of mining supervision. The Republic of Poland has designated the President of the State Mining Authority as the competent organ responsible for monitoring and enforcing the application of Regulation (EU) 2024/1787, as the European Commission was informed (publication on website: https://energy.ec.europa.eu/ topics/carbon-management-and-fossil-fuels/Methane-emissions_en in part „Documents” - List of competent authorities on E.C Methane emissions). As of July 29, 2025, it entered into a life amendment to the Law on geological and mining, which, under Article 165 paragraph 1a, appoints the President of the State Mining Authority as the competent authority responsible for monitoring and enforcing the application of Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 of the European Parliament and of the Council. In the draft national law on the implementation of emission reduction mechanisms for methane in the energy sector, which will constitute the implementation of the second stage of the implementation of the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2024/1787, specifies: - the powers and obligations of the President of the State Mining Authority, as the competent authority performing supervision and control over methane emissions by entrepreneurs and importers, - principles of conducting methane emission control, preparing control reports and the rights of authorised employees of the State Mining Authority in this regard, - tasks of the minister responsible for energy resources management regarding drilling closed, permanently plugged and abandoned underground coal mines, - rules for conducting complaints proceedings, - procedure granting accreditation to verifiers and the powers and obligations of verifiers in the scope of inspections and verification of entrepreneurs' reports undertaken, - the powers and obligations of entrepreneurs during ongoing inspections and verification activities, - regulations on administrative fines and the moderation of fines. 5. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POLISH HARD COAL MINING SECTOR In 2024, as in previous years, the global development trend in the coal market continues. After a record level of 8.3 billion tonnes in 2023, hard coal production increased again in 2024, although at a slower pace (1.4%), to an estimated 8.5 billion tonnes. Adding lignite production, total coal production last year exceeded 9 billion tons. According to data provided by the International Energy Agency (IEA), in 2024 the largest coal producers were China (4,666 million tonnes), India 1,082 million tonnes), Indonesia (836 million tonnes), respectively, Australia (474 million tonnes) and the USA (461 million tonnes).
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