A climate bill must keep electricity affordable Posted by Joe Lucas on 07/31/2009 06:41:00 PM

Evidently, the American Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA) has decided to join the debate over America’s energy future—after having previously confessed that they’ve been asleep at the wheel on the issue.

Today, ANGA placed an ad in the Washington Post claiming we can reduce America’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 50 percent right now. All we have to do is slash coal use by more than half while doubling use of natural gas.

Sound too good to be true?

It is.

Whether the infrastructure for this massive conversion is already in place (power plants, natural gas pipelines, etc.) is highly debatable.

RECS: Filling an Academic Need in Carbon Storage Research Posted by Joe Lucas on 07/31/2009 06:39:52 PM

 Well, that wraps up another year at the Research Experience in Carbon Sequestration (RECS).

It was a great chance for us to meet the men and women behind the latest clean coal technology (CCT).

As we discovered, some of America's smartest people are working around the clock on the next generation of CCT, which includes the capture and safe storage of carbon dioxide. (VIDEO: See for yourself.)

RECS Director Pamela Tomski told us that RECS fills a void, as there are no university programs dedicated to CCS. Instead, academic research typically is fragmented into different disciplines.

To counter that, RECS offers a comprehensive overview of all aspects of the science, technology and policy behind of CCS.

In the video below, Tomski talks about the success of this year’s RECS program:

RECS: Researchers are injecting CO2 into the ground in New Mexico Posted by Joe Lucas on 07/30/2009 02:13:01 PM

After getting the fundamentals of geological carbon storage through classroom and group exercises, it was finally time for the RECS group to go out into the field and see CCS in action.

Along with RECS, our team went into the field with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Southwest Regional Partnership (SWP) on Carbon Sequestration.

At New Mexico’s Pump Canyon, our team toured SWP’s test project site, where researchers are injecting carbon dioxide (CO2) into the ground.

Happy Rain Day 2009! Posted by Joe Lucas on 07/30/2009 09:12:27 AM

Here in Washington, D.C., almost every day this summer has been a rain day.

But in Waynesburg, Pa., there’s only one Rain Day. And it was yesterday.

Rain Day is a Greene County, Pa., tradition dating back to July 29, 1876. All parts of life revolve around coal in Greene County, and folks in the area are proud of the rich heritage it has given them.

We weren’t around for the first Rain Day, but we participated in the celebration last year.

Take a look at the video we put together at Rain Day 2008.

RECS: Students agree on the need for CCS Posted by Joe Lucas on 07/29/2009 10:13:47 AM

There are many ways to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and each has its pros and cons — a successful solution will involve a balanced mix that includes all options available to us.

At the Research Experience in Carbon Sequestration (RECS) program, Ph.D. and graduate students played the Stabilization Wedge Game developed by Princeton University’s Carbon Mitigation Initiative. The object is to keep CO2 emissions flat using wedges representing different strategies.

Teams included students from academic institutions such as Columbia University, Ohio State University, Indiana University, Penn State University, Rutgers University and Johns Hopkins University.

A major part of the game includes weighing the financial costs of each CO2 reduction strategy. That is, we all want to reduce CO2 emissions, but we need to take into account the need for affordable and reliable electricity and ensure that we protect our economy.

The best Stabilization Wedge Game players put together a realistic option for CO2 reduction that wins over the following stakeholder groups: taxpayers/consumers; energy companies; environmental groups; manufacturers; industrialized nations; and developing nations.

Invariably, this means including CCS as a wedge strategy. Students at RECS agreed that since we rely on coal for 50 percent of our electricity, the solution must include a plan to increase our investments in CCS projects.

That’s what we’ve been saying all along, but it was nice to see a team of academic scholars reach the same conclusion.

RECS: We Believe in Clean Coal Posted by Joe Lucas on 07/28/2009 03:05:42 PM

Sometimes in this job, it’s easy to feel like people just don’t get it. And as I get older, I often feel like my parents when I see young adults who are very firm in their conviction and purpose but just fail to see the bigger picture.

That’s why it was so exciting to see the video posted above, in which the next generation of environmental scientists, geologists, engineers and researchers talk about CCS, the shorthand for carbon capture and sequestration.

These are America’s top minds at places like Columbia University and Rutgers University. And in the face of the energy challenges facing our nation, they’re working toward a solution. They recognize the necessity that we have carbon capture and storage because we will still need to use coal (both here and around the world), but they also get that technology is the solution.

Other voices from the academic community on CCS:

•See video: Dr. Sally Benson, director of the Global Climate Energy Project at Stanford University, is an expert on how carbon dioxide flows through rocks.

•See video: Dr. Klaus Lackner, the director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, is an expert on ensuring that sequestered CO2 stays in the ground in a safe manner.

•See video: Dr. Michael Celia, chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Princeton University, is an expert on assessing CO2 storage possibilities.

With so many talented individuals working toward the same goal, it’s all the more evident that clean energy technologies like CCS can and will reduce emissions while allowing us to use our most abundant and affordable energy source: coal.

RECS: Stanford University Studies Ways to Make CCS Effective and Safe Posted by Joe Lucas on 07/24/2009 08:30:00 AM

This week we’ll be attending the Research Experience in Carbon Sequestration (RECS) – a 10-day program that advances scientific research and professional training in the field of carbon capture and storage (CCS).

Here at RECS, our team caught up with Dr. Sally Benson, director of the Global Climate Energy Project at Stanford University. She is an expert on how carbon dioxide flows through rocks, a key to understanding the ways to make CCS effective and safe.

At Stanford, she teaches courses on CCS and greenhouse gas mitigation technologies. She talks to us about her work at Stanford:

Learn more about Dr. Benson’s Lab.

RECS: How to determine the best sites for CO2 storage Posted by Joe Lucas on 07/23/2009 02:30:00 PM

This week we’ll be attending the Research Experience in Carbon Sequestration (RECS) – a 10-day program that advances scientific research and professional training in the field of carbon capture and storage (CCS).

When it comes to the capture and safe storage of carbon dioxide (CO2), it’s important to learn about geology and permeability.

Research is underway all over the world to determine the best sites for the safe storage of CO2. At RECS, our team has heard a lot from scientists about permeability (the ability of fluids to flow through rock), which is measured in units called millidarcies.

As we’ve said, the National Energy Technology Laboratory estimates that North America has enough storage capacity at our current rate of production for more than 900 years worth of carbon dioxide. This storage capacity is located deep underground across the continent in varying types of geological formations – including unmineable coal seams and oil and gas reservoirs.

This week at RECS, we listened to Travis McLing, a research scientist and carbon sequestration technical lead at the Idaho National Laboratory. Later, Dr. Mark Holtz of Praxair talked about enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and carbon storage optimization.

We also talked with Dr. Michael Celia of Princeton University who studies “injectivity and leakage” in CO2 storage in deep saline aquifers. That is, it’s important to make sure geology can handle the rate at which the CO2 is injected—as well as to ensure that the CO2 does not leak out.

Here's what Dr. Celia had to say:

Sometimes people forget, but Basin Electric Power’s North Dakota-Weyburn project has been capturing CO2 for nearly a decade – the project involves sending the CO2 to an oil field in Saskatchewan for enhanced oil recovery.

And as the sessions so far have proven, there are other possibilities for carbon sequestration, with talented minds working on ways to ensure that we have the safe, effective storage of CO2 that we need.

RECS: Putting the ‘Safe’ in Safe CO2 Storage Posted by Joe Lucas on 07/23/2009 10:13:00 AM

This week, we’ll be attending the Research Experience in Carbon Sequestration (RECS) – a 10-day program that advances scientific research and professional training in the field of carbon capture and storage (CCS).

When we talk about the coal-based generating sector’s commitment to clean, we often refer to the eventual capture and safe storage of carbon dioxide (CO2).

This week at RECS, Dr. Klaus Lackner talked about how to ensure that the CO2 stays in the ground in a safe manner.

Dr. Lackner, the director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, talked about the best way to monitor underground CO2 injection, including the advantages of using C-14 tagging, which involves a harmless carbon isotope.

Adding one microgram of C-14 to every ton of CO2 would be a safe way of alerting detectors that the carbon present at the storage site is the very same carbon that was injected in the CCS process.

When it comes to the safe storage of CO2, Dr. Lackner says it’s important to get it right.

In the video below, Dr. Lackner explains his work at Columbia University:

RECS: We need coal to meet our energy demand Posted by Joe Lucas on 07/22/2009 05:58:56 PM

This week, we’re attending the Research Experience in Carbon Sequestration (RECS) –a 10-day research program that advances scientific research and professional training in the field of carbon capture and storage (CCS).

On Monday, we began with a presentation from Dr. Revis James, the director of the Electric Power Research Institute’s (EPRI) Energy Technology Assessment Center. EPRI is an independent non-profit R&D foundation that provides technology, policy and economic analyses in emerging energy technologies.

Dr. James set the table for why coal will continue to play an important role in meeting America’s energy needs, especially with the capture and safe storage of carbon dioxide (CO2).

In 2007, America’s electricity consumption was 3,750 terawatt-hours. (Note: 1 terawatt equals 1 trillion watts.)

This year, the U.S. Energy Information Agency’s Annual Energy Outlook projected that by 2020, America’s energy demand will have increased by about 780 terawatt-hours. That 21 percent increase is the equivalent of adding another California, Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania worth of energy demand.

To give you a sense of the scale of generation, a standard commercial-scale coal plant adds 3.5 terawatt-hours in annual production. On the other hand, a standard wind farm contributes just 0.35 terawatt-hours.

As we’ve been saying all along, the solution will involve an all-of-the-above approach all of our domestic resources. But the numbers above shows that one fuel helps out better than the rest.

Clean coal facts v. fiction Posted by Joe Lucas on 07/21/2009 01:09:25 PM

Like I’m always saying: at ACCCE, we deal with substantiated facts. For example, our oft-cited figures about clean coal technology and government support for its development come from certified reports and analyses—sources we cite when engaging in a debate.

It can be frustrating when folks on the other side of the issue don’t take the same attention to detail.

Take this recent appearance with Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer on Real Time with Bill Maher, where he discusses the merits of clean coal technology with Daily Kos publisher, Markos Moulitsas:

 

(1:42) Moulitsas: It’s not real. We’re not seeing it; I’d love there to be ponies that fly with little wings and unicorns and whatnot…but at the end of the day…it’s like saying, I wish everyone would stop using electricity.

(2:00) Gov. Schweitzer: It’s not fair to say that it’s not real. A plant built in 1984 is capturing CO2 and putting it back into the earth. There are other industrial processes that can make limestone bricks—building products out of the CO2— and you can make biodiesel by growing algae with CO2. It’s not realistic to say we can’t do it, it just says we have to start before we can finish.

Like Gov. Schweitzer, we know the facts are on our side. So we’ll keep advancing the dialogue with fact-based scientific and practical solutions about our clean energy future. The other guys? Perhaps they’d rather talk about unicorns.

On tap this week: stories from the people behind clean coal technology Posted by Joe Lucas on 07/20/2009 12:48:16 PM

You’ve probably heard us say we can reach our long-term global emissions reductions goals while protecting American families and businesses from higher energy costs.

How can we be so sure?

Well for one thing, some of America’s smartest people are working around the clock on the next generation of clean coal technology, which includes the capture and safe storage of carbon dioxide.

This week, ACCCE staffers will be spending time with the Research Experience in Carbon Sequestration (RECS) –a 10-day research program that advances scientific research and professional training in the field of carbon capture and storage (CCS).

The faculty consists of experts from companies, labs and academic institutions such as Alstom Power, American Electric Power, Columbia University, Harvard University, Princeton University, Stanford University and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. We’ll be with RECS all week to share stories directly from the men and women behind clean coal technology.

Check out this week's lineup and stay tuned to Behind the Plug for photos and videos that bring their research to life.

Race toward energy independence and a lower carbon footprint Posted by Joe Lucas on 07/16/2009 06:16:00 PM

This week, the Corsa Motorsports team showcased their brand-spanking new Le Mans P1 prototype racecar at the Department of Energy headquarters in D.C. The racecar is the first vehicle in the world to feature technology that gives the driver the option to choose between three different types of alternative-fueled propulsion systems.

“I believe that we had a positive impact on the Department’s personnel and the role that we can play in helping the administration see the electrification of transportation through our vision,” said Corsa Team Principal Steve Pruitt to the audience, which included U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman and members of the EPA and DOE staff.

Pruitt, we’re with you on that one.

The energy these cars run on will have to come from somewhere – and the odds are that if it’s plugged in, the electricity charging them will be American coal– greatly increasing our energy security.

If that electricity can be produced utilizing carbon capture and sequestration technology, we can also greatly reduce the greenhouse gases that are currently being released into the atmosphere by every car on the highway without increasing emissions in the utilities sector.

The Le Mans P1 will be making its inaugural competition at the Northeast Grand Prix this weekend. Wish ‘em luck!

Chu tells China ‘we’re all in this together’ Posted by Joe Lucas on 07/16/2009 03:00:00 PM

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu is in Beijing this week to talk about climate change with Chinese leaders in the hopes to open the nation’s market to American clean technology products while pushing China to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“What China and the U.S. do in the future in large part will determine the fate of the world,” Chu said in a speech at Tsinghua University, as reported in the L.A. Times. “We’re all in this together.”

Chu warned that if China continued on its path, in 30 years it would have equaled all the carbon pollution the U.S. has ever released.

But Chu has a solution – develop clean technology in the U.S. and export it to China. The transfer of this technology is one of the chief topics he is expected to discuss on his trip.

As we’ve been saying, if we don’t develop the technology here, it won’t make its way to China, India and other places in the developing world that will continue to use massive amounts of coal no matter what we do in the United States. Even the L.A. Times acknowledged that the U.S. has the know-how in carbon capture that would benefit the Chinese.

If we want to address a global issue such as climate change, Chu’s right – China must be part of the solution.

Climate Debate: Next Stop is the U.S. Senate Posted by Joe Lucas on 07/16/2009 11:10:24 AM

With the House of Representatives now having passed a bill, the debate on a global warming bill now heads to the Senate. The Senate yesterday the Environment and Public Works Committee held a hearing in which top administration officials stressed that the goal of legislation is to not only curb greenhouse gas emissions, but to create jobs and boost our economy.

We agree about creating jobs … but we also think that a policy has to protect existing jobs. And the way you do that is be guaranteeing that we take all possible steps to keep energy costs affordable. Energy costs are second only to labor costs in ensuring that businesses can survive in these tough economic times and keep American workers – particularly those in energy intensive sectors like manufacturing – on the job.

Polls show that Americans support the notion of reducing CO2 emissions, but many are concerned about how new measures would affect consumer energy costs. ACCCE supports federal climate legislation as long as it protects American consumers and our economy because we believe the Congress can pass a bill that protects our economy and our environment. There were improvements made in during the House debate on their bill that got us closer to that goal … but there are still additional changes that need to be made to ensure we hit the mark.

In the months ahead, ACCCE looks forward to working with members of Congress and other policymakers to develop reasonable, effective legislative proposals on this important and complex issue.

What does MoveOn.Org have against Senator Claire McCaskill? Posted by Joe Lucas on 07/10/2009 05:37:01 PM

This week, MoveOn.Org launched a full-scale assault on Senator Claire McCaskill for suggesting that she could vote for a climate bill in the Senate only if changes were made to a bill that would ensure that Missouri consumers would be guaranteed protection from higher energy costs under a resulting climate policy.

Given MoveOn.Org’s attack on the senator, I thought it would be good to see where she stands on energy and environmental topics. On her Senate Web site, Senator McCaskill says “Congress needs to enact policies that protect consumers and move America away from its dependence on foreign energy sources and its dependence on oil.”

Does MoveOn.Org disagree with that statement?

Her site also says: "Encouraging utilities to purchase an increased portion of their electricity from renewable energy sources would be a positive step toward energy independence. But Congress must pass a law that takes into account the unique energy capabilities of each region in the U.S. For example, while Nevada can benefit significantly from wind and solar power to supply their energy needs, states like Missouri can implement a combination of biomass co-firing, wind and energy efficiency standards to supply ours.”

That seems to make great sense given that different states have different abilities to add renewable and non-traditional energy resources. Does MoveOn.Org disagree with that statement?

Here’s what Senator McCaskill understands: Missouri gets 82.4% of its electricity from low-cost coal, and as a result enjoys the 10th-lowest electricity costs in the nation.

Does MoveOn.Org think Senator McCaskill should support legislation to raise the cost of energy in the state?

Do they think that Missouri businesses will be better able to compete in this already challenging economy and create jobs if they are also paying higher energy costs?

Does MoveOn.Orgthink Missouri families (who are already struggling in this economy) are having too easy of a time making ends meet?

We think Senator McCaskill is headed in exactly the right direction. This week,  Senator McCaskill said, "I'm going to be one of those trying to craft it [a climate bill] … that is not going to hurt a state like Missouri that is so coal dependent."

Some people want to pass a climate bill so badly, they are willing to accept a bill that could be bad for our economy. Thank goodness Senator McCaskill and others in the Senate recognize the difference.

Any bill that the Senate passes needs to ensure access to affordable, reliable energy, promote greater energy independence, protect existing jobs (as well as look to create new jobs), and bring new technologies to the marketplace that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions that can be used here at home as well as around the globe. That is the type of bill we have said we’ll support and work toward seeing adopted in the Senate and signed into law.

Duke Energy to Invest $121 Million to Study Carbon Storage in Indiana Posted by Joe Lucas on 07/10/2009 08:00:00 AM

Duke Energy announced plans earlier this week to spend more than $120 million to examine carbon dioxide storage options in southwest Indiana.

Duke plans to look at sites to store some of the carbon emissions from its Edwardsport Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) power plant. Currently under construction, this clean coal plant also happens to be the most recent stop on our Factuality Tour.

The high efficiency associated with IGCC technology is well-suited for the capture of CO2. I’ve talked with folks at the Edwardsport project, and they fully expect to do carbon capture and storage there soon after that project comes on-line (it is slated to begin operation in 2012).

Obviously, this is a win-win situation. The Edwardsport plant will generate the reliable electricity Indianans need to meet their growing energy demand, create good jobs to help the local economy, and preserve our environment at the same time.

What to watch for as the climate bill heads to the Senate Posted by Joe Lucas on 07/09/2009 11:42:38 AM

Click the photo to watch today's episode of "OnPoint."

As the Senate moves on climate and energy legislation, many people are hoping to see significant changes in the Senate's version of the House-approved Waxman-Markey bill.

During today's OnPoint, I discussed the provisions I hope will change as the legislation makes its way through the Senate. I also talked about the Obama administration's progress on funding and R&D for carbon capture and storage technology.

A clean coal project to ‘put Western New York on the map’ Posted by Joe Lucas on 07/09/2009 08:00:00 AM

If you live in Western New York, you might have heard about a proposal to build an advanced clean coal power plant in Jamestown, N.Y.

According to the Buffalo News, the project “could put Western New York on the map as a showcase for a new, less polluting coal technology that could capture up to 95 percent of its carbon dioxide emissions.”

“Typically, it’s the environmentalists pushing for extras to reduce harmful emissions and cut down on pollution,” the Buffalo News wrote. “This time, it’s the developers touting the plant’s added environmental features.”

Projects like these are a component of a comprehensive energy policy that not only protects our environment, but also provides for economic growth and prosperity. The only way we can realistically reduce our carbon dioxide emissions is to spur investments in carbon capture and storage projects. As I explained in our new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section, it’s important for the government to increase investments in clean coal technology so that we can continue to pursue even lower emissions profiles for coal-based power plants and keep energy costs affordable for the American consumer.

There are always risks involved in bringing new technologies to the marketplace. In many cases, we’re talking about first-of-their-kind, first-of-their-scale technologies. By having the federal government share the financial responsibilities with companies that are funding these technology demonstrations, we’re insulating consumers from bearing 100 percent of the risk of those technology advancements.

Let’s work together to make sure America has the reliable electricity we need, while protecting the environment and keeping energy costs affordable for consumers.

Coal is a fuel for the future Posted by Joe Lucas on 07/08/2009 02:35:01 PM

With the Senate poised to consider a climate change bill, the usual talking points from environmental public-interest groups have begun to rear their ugly heads.

As usual during these debates, there are those who predict that any movement to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions will mean the end of the use of coal to generate electricity.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

If anything, it means the need to increase investments in carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology is even stronger than ever.

Let’s be perfectly clear about the facts: coal currently provides about 50 percent of America’s electricity. And the United States has more coal than any other fuel. A quarter of all the known coal in the entire world is here in America. In fact, we’ve got more coal than the entire Middle East has oil.

Moreover, key groups – like the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the International Energy Agency (IEA), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and others – have said that you CANNOT achieve a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions on a global scale WITHOUT successful deployment of carbon capture and storage. In fact, authors of the House bill (Chairman Waxman and Chairman Markey) clearly noted that coal use will continue to grow both here in the U.S. (on a regional basis) and around the world.

Let's do a climate bill right, rather than do it quickly Posted by Joe Lucas on 07/08/2009 01:27:23 PM

Today, I sat down with E&ETV's "OnPoint" program to tape a segment that will air tomorrow. (Watch the show online.)

In the interview, I was asked about the timing for the Senate’s consideration of climate legislation. What I said was that I thought that it would depend upon how negotiations went (especially with the key moderate Democrats who are from coal states) and how the calendar worked with scheduling health care and other votes.

Here are some additional thoughts:

There were several press reports leading up to the House consideration saying that sponsors of the bill brought the measure to the floor when they did because public support for climate legislation was fading fast.

I wish I had pointed out that public support for emissions reductions will really sink if we pass a bill that doesn’t guarantee that our economy and consumers are protected from higher energy costs.

I’m sorry, but this is VERY important legislation. In our view, it is more important to do a bill right … than to do it quickly.

That said, we support the timely adoption of bill that ensures access to affordable, reliable energy, protects existing jobs (and creates new ones), promotes greater energy independence, and brings new technologies to the marketplace to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the electricity sector both here in the U.S. and around the world (through successful technology transfer).

And we’re looking forward to working with the leaders in the Senate, others on Capital Hill and in the administration in support of this type of policy.

Happy birthday, America! Posted by Joe Lucas on 07/05/2009 06:00:00 AM

Independence Day is a reminder to us all to work to make our country less energy dependent.

Energy, the environment and the economy are inextricably linked.

If our government places too much focus on the negatives of coal instead of the positives, it all but guarantees that we will see electricity prices spike in the same manner as natural gas and oil.

Additionally, limiting the use of our most abundant and affordable fuel source (coal) will only increase our dependence on foreign energy sources and increase the threat to our national security.

On America's birthday, don't we deserve an energy policy that keeps our economy running strong, protects our natural resources and ensures our nation's energy security? That would be the best present of all.

Celebrating Energy Independence Posted by Joe Lucas on 07/04/2009 06:00:00 AM

Here's an op-ed piece from our CEO and president, Steve Miller:

In 1776, 233 years ago, a new generation of Americans declared themselves independent of the tyranny of taxation without representation. Last year, with gasoline prices at or above $4 a gallon, Americans were pledging to declare their freedom of imported energy. But this year, with gasoline at about $3 per gallon (who thought we’d see that as good news?), the call for energy independence doesn’t feel quite as strong.

But it should. America cannot have a secure future as long as we are significantly dependent on others for the resources that fuel our economy and our way of life.

Clean coal projects to receive $408M in funding Posted by Joe Lucas on 07/01/2009 04:30:36 PM

U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today that projects by Basin Electric Power Cooperative and Hydrogen Energy International LLC have been selected for up to $408 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The two projects selected -- an existing power plant in North Dakota and a new facility in California -- will incorporate advanced technologies to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

Read what our president and CEO, Steve Miller, has to say about it.