To amend the Natural Gas Act to permit the development of coalbed methane gas in areas where its development has been impeded or made impossible by uncertainty and litigation over ownership rights, and for other purposes.

Amends the Natural Gas Act to establish procedures for coalbed methane gas extraction in areas of uncertain ownership, including: (1) creation of a list of affected States (initially West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Indiana, and Illinois shall be included in such list; Colorado, Montana, New mexico, Wyoming, Utah, Virginia, and Alabama shall not be included); (2) establishment of State administering agencies (State Boards); and (3) requirements for well spacing and drilling, pooling arrangements and escrow accounts, and mining safety.