There’s right way to ensure more CCS success Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/30/2009 02:00:00 PM

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is front and center this month as an American Electric Power Co. plant in New Haven, W.Va., became the first coal-generated power plant in the United States to capture a portion of CO2 emissions and safely store them underground. A ribbon-cutting event for the pilot project was held today. This groundbreaking achievement is noteworthy given the recent debates on Capitol Hill about climate change legislation.

How will this type of technology improve as time progresses? Where will additional funding for it be derived? How many potential jobs would be created and local economies strengthened because of its manpower requirements? These are all questions federal climate legislation should address.

Clearly there are multiple voices in the room as we look to restructure this country’s energy portfolio. Yet, there doesn’t seem to be a clear direction we’ve all agreed upon in creating a reasonable energy plan.

Coal has been and is one of our most important fuel resources. Its low cost, natural abundance and significant usage must be recognized in any type federal climate legislation. Included in this recognition should be funding for the study and duplication of technologies similar to what has been introduced by AEP.

ACCCE supports a wide variety of energy resources to craft a sound plan. We recognize the benefits of a diverse fuel portfolio. So, as we aid in the structuring of federal climate legislation, let’s continue to support efforts such as the plant in New Haven by expanding upon its success.

Check out today’s announcement here.

Why climate legislation must provide support for CCT Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/30/2009 12:00:00 PM

We talk a lot on this blog about our belief that technology will be the ultimate answer to climate change, but I heard a fact today at the Clean Carbon Policy Summit in Austin that illustrates just how important technology is to worldwide reduction of carbon dioxide emissions: In the past several years, China has built enough coal-based generation to equal that of the entire US fleet – and in the next 20 years they will do it again.

What good will U.S. regulations do if they don’t provide adequate funding and support for clean coal technologies? Not much, if that stat holds true.

Luckily, it seems that a lot of very smart and important people also believe in the power of technology. In fact, the consensus among conference attendees and presenters was that we will need a suite of technologies, deployed across all energy platforms in order to meet both our growing demand for affordable, reliable power and carbon dioxide emissions limits – whatever those may be.

And though carbon capture and storage – especially CCS deployed over the existing power plant fleet – was widely discussed as the best bang for the buck in terms of the long-term cost of carbon containment, we need strong leadership and increased funding to reach that point.

AEP’s Paul Loeffelman, speaking on a panel about national carbon policy and the challenges facing the power generation industry, took that message one step further by extolling the need for policy support and the creation of public/private partnerships in order to see technologies fast tracked to full-scale commercial deployment without dramatically increasing electricity rates.

He also discussed the legislation pending in Washington – very timely considering the current Senate hearings on the Kerry-Boxer bill. A divisive subject for sure, especially given the anti-climate bill stance of the Texas executive branch, but many attendees supported some type of Federal bill, especially one that keeps costs down and provides increased funding for advanced clean coal technologies.

That’s good news to us at ACCCE, as we are working to ensure that any legislation is committed to developing clean coal technologies, contains a reasonable timeframe for emissions reductions and keeps costs affordable.

See more from the Clean Carbon Summit at www.cleancarbonsummit.com.

National infrastructure will help encourage the adoption of electric cars Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/30/2009 09:00:00 AM

Reva G-Wiz, the world's top selling electric car

A major electric utility trade group has pledged to lay the foundation for a national infrastructure to support battery-powered vehicles, reports The Associated Press.

Last week, the Edison Electric Institute announced that utilities would develop standardized structures such as charging systems, advanced meters, incentives for customers to recharge at night and a grid that interacts with plug-in cars.

These plans will hopefully allay any fears consumers might have about “being stranded with a dead battery” and encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, says the New York Times.

“Customers don’t want to be panicked when they get in their car about where and when they can charge their vehicle,” said Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford, Jr., at a recent electric vehicles conference.

Because the country already has an electricity grid in place, building the infrastructure will not be a large cost. However, overloading the electrical system is still an issue that the utilities have yet to work out.

Either way, we’re happy to hear the news. The energy a hybrid vehicle runs on has to come from somewhere – and since we get almost half our electricity from coal, odds are that the electricity charging it will be coal generated.

Furthermore, if a plug-in hybrid’s electricity can be produced from power plants utilizing clean coal technology, we can greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions for cars on the road – without increasing emissions in the utility sector.

Would you make the switch to an electric car? Post a comment and let us know.

"We have to tell the clean coal story" in Texas Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/29/2009 01:00:00 PM

Did you know that Texas retains ownership rights to the land under the Gulf of Mexico for nine nautical miles, not just three like other Gulf Coast states, because it joined the United States as a sovereign country?

Aside from an interesting bit of trivia, that fact means that the Texas Gulf Coast has some of the most promising – and accessible – areas for the geologic storage of carbon dioxide in the world. In fact, research is underway to determine just how much CO2 rock formations under the gulf can hold. It’s one of the reasons Texas is poised to be a leader in the development and deployment of advanced clean coal technologies such as carbon capture and sequestration.

We’re on a Texas kick this week because we are at the second annual Clean Carbon Policy Summit and Project Expo in Austin, Texas, and we will be updating periodically from the event.

ACCCE’s own Ned Leonard, vice president of technology policy, participated in a panel session here on the status of clean coal projects and the costs and incentives associated with their deployment.

Ned’s presentation reminded the crowd of mostly energy industry and political officials that “we have to tell the clean coal story” and not let our opponents win with largely unfounded rhetoric. According to Ned, “People that say there is no such thing as clean coal are ignoring history.”

How right he is. I have said it before and I’ll say it again: Clean coal technologies have made today's coal-based generating fleet 77 percent cleaner in terms of emissions currently regulated under existing Clean Air Act programs per unit of energy produced.

Ned also reminded the audience that, while opponents of coal like to say they have cancelled more than 100 coal plants nationwide, 23 plants at various stages of construction are being built right now. These are plants that are light years ahead of the “dirty” coal plants of the past, and many have emissions profiles of criteria pollutants that are near zero. Further, 11 plants across the country are tackling carbon dioxide emissions with carbon capture tests and demonstration projects that will capture CO2 before it’s emitted into the atmosphere. Sounds an awful lot like clean coal to me!

Stay tuned for more information on exciting new projects and technology developments from Austin

Southern Illinois goes all-out on coal research Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/29/2009 09:12:32 AM

Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC) is one of the few schools that devote an entire research center to coal and clean coal technologies.

Illinois relies on coal for 47 percent of its energy, so it makes perfect sense that academics, scientists and researchers are working to develop and use the state’s abundant coal resources.

Southern Illinois is home to the Coal Research Center, which includes the Illinois Coal Development Park. The university is also involved in more than half of the projects at the Illinois Clean Coal Institute, a state-funded energy research program.

Projects include mercury scrubbers, gasification, combustion systems, controlling coal dust, power plant expansion and reducing plant costs through more efficient technologies. The program also extends to carbon management and energy business practices – an important part of coal research.

In a few years, the center will be well positioned to learn a great deal more about CCT. It is about 150 miles from the U.S.’s first commercial-scale carbon capture and storage plant, the proposed $1.5 billion FutureGen in Mattoon, Ill.

Find out more about the university’s projects on Southern Illinois’ Energy Technology blog. The site has useful links to energy-related news items and publications as well as blog posts highlighting its latest work.

Policymakers divided on Kerry-Boxer bill Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/28/2009 12:08:54 PM

The first day of Senate climate change hearings proved what we already knew – there is still a large divide amongst policymakers regarding the Kerry-Boxer bill.

Yesterday, four Obama administration officials testified before Chairwoman Boxer, and many confirmed what we believe to be true – that the hearings are only the starting point.

“This is the beginning of a process,” Interior Secretary Ken Salazar told reporters after his testimony Tuesday. “How this legislation ultimately comes together as legislation on the floor will be different than what we have today.”

The Kerry-Boxer bill will see many changes before reaching a vote in committee, never mind the actual Senate floor, but that is no reason to be discouraged. Any bill must take into account the complex nature of this nation’s energy portfolio.

Keeping energy costs affordable, continuing the use of coal as an abundant and affordable domestic fuel resource, and supporting new technologies to curb emissions must be included in any legislation that is signed into law.

Energy is not a partisan debate, it is both a regional and a global one. We must support and respect the legislative process as we search for common ground in creating the right bill.

You can read about the first day of hearings here: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1009/28806.html

Your electricity comes from a mix of energy sources Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/28/2009 09:12:25 AM

As the debate again ratchets up over climate change legislation, there’s an important question worth considering: Do you know where your energy comes from?

Some people do not realize our nation’s electricity is generated from a combination of energy sources to meet our high electricity demand.

Each state has its own energy portfolio that is determined by location and natural resources.

While coal accounts for nearly 50 percent of our electricity, many other energy sources are used in combination to provide the power you rely on.

Here are some of the fuels we use:

•Coal: Coal generates electricity at one-third to one-quarter the cost of other fuels. States such as Wyoming, West Virginia and Kentucky generate the majority of their electricity from coal, which helps keep household utility costs low.

According to an electric power industry journal, 23 of the 25 power plants in the U.S. that have the lowest operating costs (therefore providing power to their consumers at the lowest price) are powered by coal. And coal is here to stay: the U.S. has more coal than the Middle East has oil.

•Natural gas: Natural gas is another fossil fuel that is widely used to make electricity. However, it is almost triple the cost of coal.

•Petroleum liquids: Generating energy from petroleum liquids is expensive, which is why it’s not widely used for electricity.

•Hydroelectric: Energy from hydropower is a low-cost option. However, many states are not located in the right geographic areas for this kind of electricity generation.

•Renewables: Solar and wind produce electricity only when there’s sufficient direct sunlight or sustained wind speed.

Find out where electricity in your state comes from on our interactive map.

Senate begins work of finding right balance on climate bill Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/27/2009 02:55:16 PM

Today, the Senate began hearings on the Kerry-Boxer climate bill. In accordance with these hearings, Sen. Tom Harkin wrote a letter to Sen. John Kerry, a co-sponsor of the legislation, and Majority Leader Harry Reid addressing his concerns with the two fellow Democrats over the bill as it relates to coal.

“Utilities that are more coal dependant will need to purchase even more allowances than they would have if all allowances were allocated based on emissions, and those higher costs will be passed on to customers,” wrote Harkin, of Iowa.

Harkin’s concerns reflect the complexity of climate legislation. While he raises a valid point, more than likely the Kerry-Boxer bill will have an overarching effect on the proverbial energy infrastructure of this country.

This nation’s history of self-reliance and commitment to improving all aspects of our lives represents the approach we must take toward an energy plan. That is why ACCCE wants a federal climate bill that keeps consumer costs affordable while relying on coal as an abundant domestic fuel resource.

Thus, we are continuing to work with the Congress to help modify the Kerry-Boxer legislation to ensure a long-term commitment to clean coal technologies, as well as laying the groundwork for a reasonable timetable for compliance with regulations.

Harkin’s commitment to the growth and sustainability of coal gives credence to just how important a fuel source coal is and will remain.

What world leaders are saying about coal Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/27/2009 09:00:00 AM

Last week, U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu said “the United States is not going to turn its back on coal,” acknowledging the fuel’s major role in the country’s energy portfolio.

But coal is just as important abroad – in fact, it accounts for 41 percent of the world’s electricity. With less than two months to the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, world leaders are talking about how to build a clean energy future around our most stable, abundant and affordable fuel source.

Chu’s full quotation and sound bite, MYNC (10/16): “The United States is not going to turn its back on coal. Fifty percent of our electricity is generated by coal. The industry will not develop that technology, but we have to partner with the industry to develop it.”

Listen to the quote:

President Barack Obama, CNN (10/24): On fossil fuels, including coal: We must figure “out how to use those as cleanly and efficiently as possible.”

Ed Miliband, UK energy and climate change secretary, news release (9/25): “Without CCS there is no solution to climate change. As well as getting things in place in the UK and Europe we need that consensus at the global talks in Copenhagen. The meeting in London will be a pivotal part of moving the discussion on CCS forwards.”

Dipuo Peters, South Africa energy minister, Bloomberg (10/13): “It is very critical that the international community develops financial capacity to assist developing countries [in deploying commercial-scale carbon capture and storage projects],” Peters said. “South Africa is faced by more pressing challenges such as energy poverty.”

Stephen Harper, Canada prime minister, UPI (10/16): Carbon capture and storage "has the potential to help us balance our need for energy with our duty to protect the environment."

Now we need Congress to act Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/26/2009 01:30:40 PM

The Environmental Protection Agency has just unveiled a new set of emissions standards to be implemented on power plants by 2011. These standards specifically apply to the reduction of mercury being emitted from oil and coal plants. While the agency’s action may result in fewer emissions, it will undoubtedly increase electricity prices for consumers.

Rulings such as these underscore the need for the Congress to pass comprehensive climate legislation. It is both unrealistic and unnecessary to have the EPA framing the infrastructure of this country’s climate policy.

Tomorrow on Capitol Hill, hearings on the Kerry-Boxer bill, or the “Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act,” will begin. While this legislation in its current form needs to be reworked, ACCCE recognizes the effort of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to introduce this bill, and we will continue to work with it to improve this legislation.

As we have continued to maintain for some time, ACCCE supports legislation that will keep energy costs affordable, bring new technologies to the marketplace and rely on abundant, domestic fuel sources, such as coal, to meet our growing energy demands.

Because the EPA serves to fill one of the most important functions pertaining to this country’s energy make-up, it is the responsibility of both private industry and those in the legislative branch to alleviate burdensome oversight requirements. This can and will be done with an all-inclusive, fair energy bill.

You can read about the requirements here in the Los Angeles Times.

Open letter to Sierra Club’s Bruce Nilles Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/26/2009 12:35:53 PM

This letter is addressed to the Sierra Club’s Bruce Nilles concerning issues over commenting on Facebook fan pages for ACCCE and the Sierra Club.

Dear Bruce,

We appreciate your reaching out to us this week on our Facebook page. We encourage a robust conversation there from all sides of the energy debate, be it through comments or links to videos or other interesting content. We believe that the facts surrounding the use of coal as a fuel of the future are so strong, we’re willing to debate anywhere, anytime … including on Facebook.

However, apparently the Sierra Club, the organization you represent, does not share a similar commitment to a full and open discussion on issues involving energy and the environment. I tried commenting last week on Sierra Club’s Facebook page, but was blocked from doing so. I’ve also tried to post on your site’s wall (as you did twice on our page last week), only to find that you don’t allow postings.

Given this turn of events, I’ve decided to delete your postings from our page. You can repost those items should the Sierra Club decide to allow ACCCE open access to your site’s page.

Sincerely,

Joe Lucas Senior Vice President, ACCCE

Cool facts for kids about coal Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/26/2009 09:00:00 AM

As National Energy Awareness Month draws to a close, we wanted to end our series on the event on a fun note.

If you haven’t explored the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Web site yet, it has a lot of great resources on energy, fossil fuels and electricity. One of our favorite sections is actually their Energy Kids’ page – it has a lot of surprising, off-the-wall facts that might be of interest to adults, too.

Here’s a few coal factoids from the site we thought you might like:

•The first record of coal in the U.S. was in 1673, found by French-Canadian explorer Louis Joliet along the Illinois River in northern Illinois.

•“Wheeling” is a term used to describe when electricity is moved through a local grid for use in another area.

•“Pig” is a scraping tool that is sent through a pipeline to clean it out.

•In 2008, each person in the U.S. used an average of 900,000 Btu per day. That’s the equivalent to the energy of 900,000 matches – or half a tank of gasoline.

•In 1816, Baltimore became the first city to light streets with gas made from coal.

•The first coal-generated power plant was developed by Thomas Edison in 1882 to make electricity for New York City’s household lights.

•About 58 percent of coal was produced west of the Mississippi River in 2008.

Now that you know a little more about coal, sign into Facebook and test your knowledge on affordable energy in our America’s Power^SM quiz. Let us know how you do!

Sharp decline on global warming believers might suggest partisanship, cost concerns Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/23/2009 02:41:04 PM

Americans are becoming increasingly doubtful about whether global warming evidence exists, according to a Pew Research Center poll released Thursday. Based on the findings, 57 percent believe there is solid evidence the world is getting warmer – a sharp drop from 71 percent in April 2008.

The survey, titled "Fewer Americans See Solid Evidence of Global Warming,” says the decline crosses all party lines, but it is particularly pronounced among independents. Among them, 53 percent now believe global warming exists, compared with 75 percent in April 2008.

Among Republicans, 35 percent see solid evidence of global warming – down 14 percent from 2008. Seventy-five percent of Democrats said they see that level of evidence for global warming – just down 8 percent from the previous year.

Does this poll suggest that there is growing partisan split on global warming? Are Republicans saying no where Democrats are saying yes? Are independents split? Or are more people just concerned about the cost to deploy the technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

Clearly, the poll shows an increased polarization of public attitudes based on party ID. But there are other dynamics in play.

Andrew Kohut, the director of the research center, told the Associated Press that concerns about the economy are also driving opinions on this issue: "The priority that people give to pollution and environmental concerns and a whole host of other issues is down because of the economy and because of the focus on other things.”

Pew surveyed 1,500 adults between Sept. 30 and Oct. 4.

We agree that there are both “certainties” and “uncertainties” when it comes to the science about climate change. But we’ve also said that any remaining uncertainties are not a reason to avoid action. With advances in technology, we can reduce emissions and maintain access to affordable, reliable energy from coal.

That’s why we support a bill that would reduce emissions by bringing new technologies to the marketplace; drive down the cost of deploying these technologies to ensure access to affordable, reliable electricity; promote the use of American coal and other domestic fuels; and protect existing jobs and create new ones.

We hope Obama’s clean energy message inspires movement toward CCT Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/23/2009 09:00:00 AM

This afternoon, President Obama is scheduled to deliver an address on clean energy to an audience of students and faculty members at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

As he speaks about the nation’s energy future, we will listen for his support of clean coal technology (CCT) and the placement of affordable energy costs for consumers.

Congress has included provisions in the climate legislation to fund CCT, and we are also encouraged by recent remarks from U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu supporting carbon capture and sequestration initiatives. At the end of the day, we hope Obama’s speech inspires lawmakers to support a bill that will create an innovative and cost-effective energy plan, bring CCT to the global marketplace and secure our energy independence by relying on coal to meet our growing energy demands.

Clean Coal Innovators Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/22/2009 01:00:00 PM

National Communications Director Steve Gates recently visited the 2009 Gasification Technologies Conference as part of the America’s Power℠ Factuality Tour. The following is his final dispatch from the event.

It’s been written many times on this blog that we’re confident the continued development and deployment of advanced clean coal technologies will help usher our country into a clean energy future. One reason we’re so confident of that is because we meet people all the time who are working on innovative projects to generate electricity from coal in increasingly clean ways.

Of course, the Factuality Tour has been a great way to get to know a lot of these innovators – especially this stop at the Gasification Technologies Conference in Colorado Springs. It’s literally stuffed full of people thinking outside the box.

One of those people is Don Montgomery of the Nanomaterials Discovery Corporation. Check out our video interview to hear Don explain how we can use coal and fuel cells to generate electricity with no CO2 emissions.

He showed us a unique generation process that involves turning coal into alcohol and then running that alcohol through a fuel cell to create electricity. In addition, the process creates vinegar as a byproduct that can be bought and sold as a commodity.

That’s all well and good, but this technology has an even bigger upside: it generates electricity using coal without producing any CO2.

We’re not giving up on climate change legislation Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/22/2009 12:29:26 PM

We were in for a surprise this morning when we read the DeSmogBlog’s post, “Who’s Killing U.S. Clean Energy Policy?” on Daily Kos. It accuses ACCCE of intervening with the passage of climate change legislation – but isn’t it a bit early to start throwing in the towel? The Senate has only begun to consider proposals, and speakers this week at a climate change conference in Washington said that Senate committees could act on the legislation before the end of the year.

“If Obama’s clean energy bill fails, it will not be because progressive groups have not done a good job at defending the bill,” DeSmogBlog writes. “It will be the multi-billion dollar fossil fuel industry and their ideological front groups that will be to blame.” Ouch. For the past few months, we have been working constructively with congressional members to promote changes to the climate legislation that will help strengthen its impact, not weaken it.

That includes stronger measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, preserve access to affordable and reliable energy, protect and create clean jobs and promote greater energy independence through the use of coal and other domestic energy resources. And remember – our organization supports renewable energy, federal carbon management legislation and recognizes that cap and trade could be part of the climate change solution.

Should legislation the bill fail to pass, it will most likely be because of a lack of willingness to compromise.

The close vote in the House showed that there were still serious concerns about the economic effects of the climate legislation in many parts of the country. Now that a bill has reached the Senate – where states will have equal representation – greater compromise will be more important than ever.

Carnegie Mellon brings energy policy, technology together Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/22/2009 09:00:00 AM

Earlier this year, we attended a greenhouse gas conference in Washington and had the chance to listen to Carnegie Mellon University Professor Ed Rubin’s panel on carbon capture and sequestration technologies.

Rubin, who teaches engineering and public policy, caught our attention. “Coal will not go away for many decades,” he said at the conference. “[CCS] would allow continued coal use as a bridge to a more sustainable future.”

Moreover, Rubin said that economic models show that including CCS in a portfolio of low-carbon energy options significantly reduces the costs of mitigating change.

Carnegie Mellon's main engineering facility, Hamershlag Hall

Intrigued by his views on clean coal technology, we took a closer look at the Department of Engineering and Public Policy (EPP), a unique program at Carnegie Mellon that concentrates on solving environmental policy issues with science and engineering.

With the Senate considering climate change legislation, the university’s valuable research has not been more important. The EPP department has more than 20 research programs focusing on hot topics such as energy in China, sustainable engineering and atmospheric particle studies.

Many environmental science academics hold the program in high esteem. According to Kai Lee, the director of the Center for Environmental Studies at Williams College, the work that EPP is doing “to improve understanding of complex problems such as climate change is path-breaking and useful – a rare combination.”

Show your support for EPP by following Carnegie Mellon on Twitter and becoming a fan of Carnegie Mellon’s College of Engineering on Facebook.

Everyone seems to like CCS Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/21/2009 01:00:00 PM

Today at a climate conference in Washington, lawmakers and key interests in energy and environmental issues said that any viable climate change bill must support technologies that curb carbon dioxide emissions.

At a morning session titled “The Farm Factor and the Role for Coal,” ACCCE Senior Vice President Paul Bailey said that advanced clean coal technologies for carbon capture and storage (CCS) – although in relative infancy – are a real solution to improving the environment while providing the energy stability that Americans want.

Joining Bailey on the panel was Glenn English, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association; Dan Lashof, director of the climate center for the National Resources Defense Council; and Rick Krause, senior director of congressional relations at the American Farm Bureau. It was moderated by Rebecca Adams, a senior writer at CQ Weekly.

Several disagreements flared over the cost and effectiveness and the consumer benefits of proposed climate legislation over the 75-minute discussion. But consensus emerged on the topic of CCS.

“It looks like everyone is for carbon capture and storage,” Bailey said afterward.

Lashof, representing environmental interests, said in the panel that “you can make it work,” referring to CCS. He said that the “oil industry has spent 100 years” using CO₂ to extract fossil fuels from out of the ground. “They have learned a lot,” he said.

Bailey said he remembered when proposed scrubbers to eliminate SO₂ emissions were criticized.

“They said it wouldn’t work, it was too expensive,” he said. “They said it was difficult if not impossible to do.”

But he argued that the technology turned out to be less complicated to produce – and the results were dramatic. He noted afterward that the House and Senate versions of the climate change legislation includes between $150 billion and $200 billion for CCS initiatives.

We think that’s a step in the right direction. Let us know what you think.

Wyoming Gov. Freudenthal: America needs to utilize all of its energy resources Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/21/2009 12:12:53 PM

National Communications Director Steve Gates just visited the 2009 Gasification Technologies Conference as part of the America's Power^SM Factuality Tour. We'll be posting his interviews and videos from the event over the next several days.

One of the first speakers at this year’s conference was Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal. If you don’t know how important Wyoming is to producing electricity in the United States, this fact sums it up: the state produces more coal than any other.

If you remember, we visited the Black Thunder Mine in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin during our first stop on the Factuality Tour. While there, we found out the region produces 40 percent of America’s coal – and that Black Thunder provides 8 percent all by itself. Add to that the fact that Wyoming’s mines employ almost 7,000 people and it’s clear how important the energy industry is to the state.

We were fortunate enough to track down Governor Freudenthal and get his thoughts on the energy challenges our planet faces. Watch our video interview with the governor to hear his views on America’s energy future.

Gov. Freudenthal strongly supports a balanced energy approach when it comes to meeting America’s ever increasing energy demands. Now that you know the governor’s opinion, we’d love to hear what you think about the importance of making sure our country is utilizing a balanced energy portfolio.

Proposed gasification plant in Alaska could quadruple U.S. coal reserves Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/21/2009 09:00:00 AM

Source: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is advising Cook Inlet Region Inc., an Alaska native-owned corporation, about building a 100-megawatt underground coal gasification plant on a shore near Anchorage, Ala., reports The San Francisco Business Times.

Alaska has about one-sixth of the world’s coal resources, The Times says. UGC technology would allow the state to fully use otherwise unrecoverable coal deposits, effectively tripling or quadrupling the U.S.’s coal reserves, according to Lawrence Livermore. This would be a big boost toward increasing our energy independence.

For those who aren’t familiar, underground coal gasification converts coal that is still in the ground into a combustible gas, which can then be used for industrial heating, power generation or the manufacture of hydrogen, synthetic natural gas or diesel fuel.

The technology eliminates the need for coal to be mined, making it an environmentally safer and economically viable technology. Australia successfully demonstrated UGC on a commercial scale in 2008, and there are UGC projects underway in China, India and South Africa.

Cook Inlet Region Inc.’s $280 million UGC project is just one more example of our industry’s commitment to finding innovative ways to produce energy from coal. It would also help diversify Alaska’s current energy mix and provide a climate-conscious way to ensure greater energy security for the country.

Wall Street Journal declares CCS a game-changing technology Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/20/2009 01:00:00 PM

Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) is considered to be one of the “five technologies that could change everything,” The Wall Street Journal said in a cover story on Monday.

In other words, CCS could be part of an innovation wave that could help drastically reduce greenhouse gases and “radically change the world energy picture.”

It’s easy to understand why CCS would be considered a breakthrough technology. If commercially deployed, it could cut carbon dioxide emissions by 90 percent while limiting cost increases. The Journal acknowledges that the technology exists and has been demonstrated in small-scale pilots, but has yet to make the leap on a commercial level.

Of the other technologies the Journal lauded – such as space-based solar power and utility storage – two of them are involved with coal.

The advanced car batteries that would be used to boost the mileage of hybrid-electric cars would need to run on a grid powered by coal.

And next-generation biofuels, like genetically altered algae, can be used to eat carbon dioxide emissions captured from coal-generated power plants.

Scientists are continuing to work on these technologies. If perfected, it could radically change the way we use electricity – and most certainly pave the way toward a clean energy future.

OPEC oil embargo of 1973 reminds us of importance of energy independence Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/20/2009 09:00:00 AM

Now more than ever, it is critical for the United States to achieve energy independence, and certain historical markers remind us how important it is to achieve that goal.

Last weekend marked the 36th anniversary of the Second Arab Oil Embargo of 1973. Members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC, embargoed oil for almost six months in response to the United States’ military policy toward Israel during the Yom Kippur War.

That act by OPEC had serious repercussions on the U.S. and global economy – and showed just how dependent the world was for foreign oil. The embargo nearly quadrupled the real price of crude oil at the refinery level and caused massive shortages in the U.S., resulting in long lines at the gas station and government-mandated energy cutbacks.

We cannot let that happen again. One way to increase our energy security is to use the affordable and reliable energy from American coal.

Coal generates electricity at one-third the cost of other fuels – and our country has more than 200 years of available coal reserves. We need to wean ourselves off foreign oil and start putting our most abundant domestic fuel to use on the road.

We can start by supporting hybrid technologies that make it possible for more vehicles to run on coal-generated electricity instead of gasoline.

Surging coal exports would create Va. Jobs Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/19/2009 04:31:33 PM

A potential resurgence in coal exports going through a Norfolk Southern Corp. terminal in Hampton Roads, Va., may “shore up hundreds of jobs statewide,” The Virginian-Pilot reported over the weekend.

China, the biggest producer of coal in the world, has boosted its demand for metallurgical coal – a raw ingredient for making steel – and is drawing on American resources as a supplement.

A booming economy, poor access to its own coal reserves and problems securing coal from other countries spurred China to become a net importer for American coal last year, said Vlad Dorjets, an economist with the Energy Information Administration.

This demand couldn’t have come at a better time for Norfolk Southern’s Hampton Roads terminal, the nation’s largest coal-exporting port. From January through September, as the recession slowed growth worldwide, exports at that facility and two others in Newport News dropped 28 percent from the same period in 2008.

But because of China’s increasing infrastructure projects, coal producers are anticipating a resurgence in coal exports.

According to David Host, CEO of shipping company T. Parker Host, such a surge would spur hundreds of jobs in Virginia “in businesses ranging from railroads to port terminals, mines to shipping firms, coal-testing labs to harbor pilots and tugboat captains.”

Three freighters full of tens of thousands of tons of coal have been delivered to China, and six more are scheduled to ship out by the end of the year.

Chu: “The U.S. is not going to turn its back on coal” Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/19/2009 01:00:00 PM

On Friday, U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Energy Secretary Steven Chu spoke to a national group of CEOs in Cary, N.C., about accelerating progress on alternative energy production and finding cleaner ways to generate electricity.

Chu specifically cited coal’s significant role in our energy portfolio and the government’s commitment in partnering with the energy industry to develop clean coal technologies.

"The United States is not going to turn its back on coal," Chu said. "Fifty percent of our electricity is generated by coal. The industry will not develop that technology, but we have to partner with the industry to develop it."

The energy secretary’s statement comes on the heels of his “urgent letter last week,” according to The New York Times, “calling for a major effort to develop and implement carbon capture technology” within the next 10 years.

Government involvement is an integral part of deploying CCS on a commercial scale. In the past, U.S. Department of Energy grants have helped lower the initial cost of clean coal technologies – which helped protect consumers from higher energy costs and created incentives for businesses.

According to the Associated Press, Salazar promised the CEOs that the Obama administration is “clearing away red tape” to help mitigate any “confusion holding up potential offshore renewable energy projects.”

Hopefully, these measures will aid industry leaders in investing and developing in clean energy programs, including coal.

U.S.’s energy awareness tips worth something to taxpayers Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/19/2009 09:00:00 AM

The federal government is the largest single domestic user of energy, spending more than $9 billion annually to power its vehicle fleet, operations and 500,000 facilities, and it has boosted efforts in recent years to conserve energy use. In launching National Energy Awareness Month, the government is promoting those initiatives for everyone’s benefit.

The Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program’s You Have the Power campaign helps government agencies reach their energy saving goals by raising awareness about energy efficiency in their facilities. Over the past 10 years, the campaign has helped federal facilities save millions of dollars.

According to the DOE, we can all benefit from the wise use of energy at federal facilities. Not only does the effort help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment, it contributes to our national security and saves taxpayer dollars.

For example, instead of constructing a new facility for the Social Security Administration, the agency opted to reuse an existing structure, saving $25 million. Also, the Department of Homeland Security’s Fuel Working Group reorganized its fuel procurement processes, helping the Coast Guard save $9 million in 2005.

Perhaps we should take a cue from the government and be more conscious of our own use of electricity. Take a moment to look through some of the federal government’s energy-saving projects and let us know what you think.

IGCC 101 Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/16/2009 01:00:00 PM

National Communications Director Steve Gates just visited the 2009 Gasification Technologies Conference as part of the America's Power^SM Factuality Tour. We'll be posting his interviews and videos from the event over the next several days.

A term you hear a lot when it comes to producing electricity from coal these days is IGCC, which stands for Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle. But what exactly is IGCC and how does it work?

According to an MIT report:

The integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) produces electricity from a solid or liquid fuel. First, the fuel is converted to syngas which is a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Second, the syngas is converted to electricity in a combined cycle power block consisting of a gas turbine process and a steam turbine process which includes a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG).

It’s a pretty complex process. So we asked Stephen Jenkins, vice president of gasification services for CH2M Hill, to tell us a little more about it – and explain how coal fits into the IGCC picture. Check out our video interview with Stephen to hear him explain how the gasification process works.

Stephen does an excellent job illustrating the importance of IGCC for our very near energy future. Now that you know a little more about this technology, tell us what you think about IGCC.

Washington U. part of international clean coal team Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/16/2009 09:00:00 AM

Last October, our team traveled to Washington University in St. Louis to report on the vice presidential debate. But knowing that the school is home to one of the world’s leading programs in clean coal technology research, we didn’t want to miss the chance to ask people there what they thought about coal.

We bumped into James V. Wertsch, director of the university’s McDonnell International Scholars Academy, and two Chinese students from his program. In the video above, Wertsch tells us that “coal is going to be huge” for the United States and China and that we should continue to invest in clean coal research.

Washington University’s Consortium for Clean Coal Utilization is focused on advancing technologies for the clean utilization of coal, developing solutions to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions and improve public understanding of the role of coal as a source of energy.

ACCCE members Arch Coal, Peabody and Ameren are lead sponsors for the program’s cutting-edge research, which includes carbon capture and sequestration, algae growth and emissions control technology.

This consortium partners up with universities from nearly a dozen coal-producing countries like China, India and Indonesia.

Washington University understands that climate change requires a global solution – and by working together, we can deploy commercial-scale clean coal technologies faster and more efficiently.

Show your support for Washington University by following the school on Twitter or becoming a fan of its engineering program on Facebook.

Factuality Tour 2009: On the road again Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/15/2009 01:07:08 PM

National Communications Director Steve Gates just visited the 2009 Gasification Technologies Conference as part of the America's Power^SM Factuality Tour. We'll be posting his interviews and videos from the event over the next several days.

The America's Power^SM Factuality Tour is back on the road, and this time we’re off to Colorado Springs for the 2009 Gasification Technologies Conference.

So what goes on at a conference like this? Well, it’s the gasification industry’s biggest event, full of expert presentations on the latest industry trends, developments and cutting-edge technologies. In fact, this year’s conference attracted nearly 750 attendees representing more than 400 companies and organizations from North America, Europe and Asia.

The strong attendance level can be attributed to several factors, including uncertainties surrounding future oil and natural gas prices as well as calls for more stringent control of fossil fuels’ environmental footprint – all of which play to the strengths of gasification technologies.

To learn more about gasification – and find out a little more about the event – I tracked down the conference’s director, Jim Childress of the Gasification Technology Council, and Neville Holt of the Electric Power Research Institute, who has been involved with the conference since its early days. These guys gave us a great overview of the conference and the field of gasification – and they both had a lot to say about how gasification can play an important role in producing low-emission electricity from coal in the very near future. Make sure you check out our video interviews with Jim and Neville to hear everything they had to say.

Expert: Reports of additional natural gas reserves only speculative Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/15/2009 09:43:42 AM

According to an Associated Press story, predictions that American shale formations could yield 100 years of additional gas supplies may be inaccurate.

Arthur Berman, a geological consultant, told an audience at the Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas Conference he believes the world’s gas reserves are actually diminishing – citing evidence that the yield of the Barnett Shale formation is in decline as an example.

America has enough coal reserves located within our borders to provide more than 200 years of low-cost, reliable and increasingly clean electricity. That’s why American coal truly is a fuel for our future.

What they’re saying about clean coal technology Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/14/2009 01:00:00 PM

With climate change legislation passing through the Senate, we’ve heard many opinions from public officials on issues concerning energy policy and clean coal technology:

E&E News article (9/11): “Five influential coal-state Senate Democrats” -- Sens. Robert Byrd of West Virginia, Max Baucus of Montana, Mark Warner of Virginia, and Arlen Specter and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania – introduced draft legislation that “they say would help with the widespread commercial deployment of carbon capture and sequestration technologies.”

Bob McDonnell, Republican candidate for Virginia governor, CNBC (10/6): “We're one of the largest coal-exporting states in the country. We've actually got the largest coal exporting port in the world in Hampton Roads, Virginia. I'm a strong supporter of the coal industry. There's a lot of innovation going on with carbon sequestration … coal gasification that in another five or 10 years might provide another use of coal. It's going to be very good for Virginia.”

Our team also had the opportunity last week to attend the Gasification Technologies Conference in Colorado Springs, Colo., where emerging technologies were on display. We noted that:

Neville Holt of the Electric Power Research Institute (10/5): “What we got to do is operate the whole thing -- coal to kilowatts and sequester the CO2 continuously at a million tons a year just as soon as we possibly can.”

Dave Freudenthal, Wyoming governor (10/5): “We should advocate, and advocate fairly broadly, for a fully diverse energy mix in this country going forward. That the current attitude of selecting technologies based on prejudice rather than on analysis is going to be, I think, the undoing of this country.”

Winter’s here, and coal is ready to provide warmth Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/14/2009 09:00:00 AM

We are not even halfway through October and already winter has made its presence felt in some parts of the country. Over the weekend, snow and freezing temperatures crept over the Mountain West and the Midwest, postponing a baseball playoff game in Denver and blanketing roads at Yellowstone National Park. On Sunday, the high temperature in Des Moines, Iowa, was 41 degrees -- breaking the 1909 record of 46 degrees.

It’s getting downright cold out there, but the dependability of coal will help millions of Americans stay warm no matter how long that winter feeling lasts.

According to our friend Venita McCellon-Allen, a utilities executive, “We have to be able to meet our customer’s needs in the middle of the night or on the hottest summer day. Coal will help us do that regardless of what Mother Nature is doing.”

In fact, the Energy Information Administration has estimated that winter heating expenses for electricity will be $20 less over the season, according to its annual winter assessment.

To find out just how much you depend on coal-generated electricity at home, check out the Power House – an interactive feature on AmericasPower.org that will allow you to see how much energy it takes to power a modern home.

And as I wrote in a recent guest column for the Des Moines Register, we’re going to need every form of electricity generation that we can think of to meet our growing demand – and that includes coal.

As part of energy solution, balance is key (Des Moines Register) Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/13/2009 01:02:05 PM

Today, the Des Moines Register published my guest column about the nation’s energy portfolio. To sum up my argument: We’re going to need every form of electricity generation that we can think of to meet our growing demand – and that includes coal.

People need to realize that renewables like wind and solar remain uncompetitive as a significant displacement of coal and other fossil fuels (in terms of price) and are unreliable (in terms of baseload capability).

Take a moment to read the article and let me know what you think.

Coal, the power behind your workplace Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/13/2009 09:00:00 AM

Coal has a major impact on every aspect of the American workforce. It provides Americans with jobs, generates the reliable electricity we need to get our work done and helps business costs remain affordable – allowing companies to keep employees at work.

Olivia Albright, owner of AOA Products in Toledo, Ohio, depends on low-cost energy to operate her packaging machines – and leave her with enough money to meet payroll.

Almost half of our nation’s energy comes from coal. It generates 85 percent of the electricity in Ohio, providing Olivia’s company – and millions of others in the Buckeye state – with a steady source of power.

“Coal keeps my small business running,” Olivia says.

Indeed, coal helps keep the U.S. economy strong.

According to a 2006 Pennsylvania State University study, if coal were removed from our energy portfolio, the U.S. could lose up to 6.8 million jobs and $1 trillion of gross economic output by 2015.

Breaking News: IEA: need for 3,400 CCS plants by 2050 Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/12/2009 02:09:04 PM

The New York Times reports that the International Energy Agency is calling for fast action on carbon storage in developing countries. According to a report to be released by the IEA, there is a need for 100 large-scale, fully deployed CCS plants around the world in the next decade and 3,400 by 2050.

Thomas Kerr, a senior IEA analyst, said the modeling used for the report is "not based on technology or political will ... just based on CO2." The Times also reports “that the agency found CCS will be one of the lowest-cost options in the coming decades, delivering about one-fifth of global emission reductions by midcentury.”

Click here to read the entire article.

We’ve been celebrating Energy Awareness Month since 1981 Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/12/2009 01:00:00 PM

President Obama this month announced October as National Energy Awareness Month – but did you know that the federal government has dedicated time each year to energy awareness since 1981?

Almost three decades ago, the U.S. Department of Energy set aside a week to remind Americans about the importance of saving electricity, which later turned into a month-long event. In 1991, President George H.W. Bush made October its observation period.

Since then, the DOE has launched annual campaigns to promote the efficient use of our nation’s energy.

The department has been particularly active in getting other federal agencies to be more conscious of their electricity usage. Not only does the effort help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it saves taxpayer dollars – the government spends more than $9 billion to power its operations and facilities throughout the country.

This year’s Energy Awareness Month has the same focus and values, but with an emphasis on a clean energy economy, energy security and developing clean energy technology.

And with climate change legislation moving through the Senate, these issues have never been more important.

So take some time to reflect on how you can help promote the efficient use of our nation’s energy – and if you want to share, leave us a comment.

Pleasant Prairie Power Plant captures nearly 90 percent of CO2 emissions Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/12/2009 09:00:00 AM

The Business Journal of Milwaukee reported last week that We Energies’ carbon capture project has been successful in cutting almost 90 percent of carbon dioxide emissions from their coal-generated power plant in Pleasant Prairie, Wis.

The plant has actually been doing this for months. We know this because earlier this year, our team viewed its project during the America’s Power Factuality Tour and got to see carbon capture in action for ourselves.

We learned that the pilot facility takes about 1 percent of its flue gas for use in the demonstration project. Then, a chilled ammonia process is used to capture carbon dioxide emissions from the gas.

We congratulate We Energies and the Electric Power Research Institute for their dedicated work on carbon capture.

Not only does this initiative confirm the industry’s commitment to making fuel from coal increasingly clean, it proves that clean coal technology can drastically reduce carbon dioxide emissions, mitigating the effects of climate change.

This project is one step closer to making carbon capture feasible on a commercial scale – and right now, that’s a reassuring thought. USA Today reports that nine states are said to be falling short on their goals to increase the use of renewable energy.

This just goes to show how important it for us to keep working on coal – it’s a reliable base fuel that is abundant and affordable.

Stay on top of CCS with the Carbon Capture Journal Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/09/2009 01:00:00 PM

With the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen just around the corner and climate change legislation making its way through the Senate, carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) has certainly become a hot topic.

And while staying on top of CCS news and research can seem a bit daunting, we’ve discovered one publication covering CCS and government policy in a way that’s “clear, useful and won’t waste your time.” It’s called the Carbon Capture Journal.

In addition to tracking new test facilities, demonstration sites and funding, the U.K.-based Journal offers comprehensive coverage of U.S. and international climate-related legislation.

And because Carbon Capture Journal covers a broad array of topics, its readers are just as varied. Apart from people in the energy industry, policy analysts, lawyers and reporters from all over the world subscribe to the publication.

But you don’t have to be a subscriber to get access to the Journal’s articles and resources. Carbon Capture Journal’s Web site posts some of its news items free of charge and features categorized links to companies working on CCS and related government organizations.

Take a minute to explore the site, and if you like what you see, start a profile on its online networking site and share your ideas about CCS with its Web-based community.

What are your favorite clean coal technology publications? Leave a comment and let us know.

What powers your weekend? Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/09/2009 09:00:00 AM

As you prepare to leave the office today to enjoy Columbus Day weekend, take a moment to think about the fuel source that powers your fun: electricity generated from reliable, affordable and abundant coal.

Coal makes it possible for us to make plans on our cell phones, relax in front of the television, use the treadmill at the gym or watch the football game under the stadium lights.

And because coal is a low-cost source of energy – one-third the cost of most other fuels – it lightens the load on the family budget, saving us more money for fun activities on our days off.

We tend to forget about the role electricity plays in our lives and our need for cheap and readily available power. Almost half of America’s electricity comes from coal, and chances are, your state relies heavily on it for energy.

As our friend Fred Shelton, an energy efficiency consultant near St. Louis, says, “Coal generates the power we need at a price we can afford.”

With that in mind, take a moment to tell us how coal will give your plans a lift this holiday weekend. Let us know in the comment box below.

Builders hold rally for coal plants in Michigan Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/08/2009 02:44:37 PM

On Tuesday, nearly 2,000 people – mostly ironworkers, electricians, carpenters and other builders looking for work – rallied outside the Michigan Capitol to demand action on the permitting of two new clean coal plants. The state air permits have been pending for two years.

Meanwhile, Michigan’s unemployment rate has climbed to 15.2 percent in August. As unemployment worsens, the pace of workers moving out of the state quickens. Michigan is shedding residents faster than a Siberian Husky loses fur in August. Michigan loses a family to outmigration every 12 minutes.

Given that climate, you would think Michigan’s leaders would quickly embrace projects that would create new jobs, pump money into the economy and provide affordable, reliable electricity for businesses and consumers.

You might think that, but you would be wrong. And that’s why nearly 2,000 mostly unemployed members of the building trades showed up Tuesday for the pro-coal plant rally in Lansing.

Battery-powered transportation extends to the locomotive industry Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/08/2009 01:00:00 PM

Last week, railroad company Norfolk Southern announced it would be unveiling a new kind of locomotive – one that runs completely on battery power.

The new train, equipped with 1,500 horsepower, will operate in Norfolk Southern’s Pennsylvania rail yard, where low-horsepower locomotives are typically used. The company has plans to develop hybrid diesel-and-electric trains for longer trips, which they hope to start testing by the end of next year.

Political leaders and research groups in other parts of the world are taking a serious look at hybrid train technology. Countries are converting their rail fleets to hybrid models – or environmental groups are pressing leaders to make the switch away from diesel trains.

In England, as part of long-term plans to modernize the railway system, the government will roll out hybrid trains over the next several years. In Ontario, Canada, government leaders have approved the use of diesel locomotives over the objections of an environmental coalition that wants rail lines there to be electrified. Officials in Thailand are drawing up a “strategic roadmap” for the industrial industry that includes developing hybrid trains parts.

It stands to reason that new hybrid trains will need electricity from somewhere. In the U.S., where we get nearly half of our electricity from coal, it’s possible that someday our trains will be running on the same kind of coal they ship.

This makes clean coal technologies like carbon capture and storage all the more essential. Imagine the possibilities: reduced greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, cars and trains, all while moving away from imported oil.

Kudos to Norfolk Southern. Read more about the train on its Web site and let us know what you think of this achievement in the comments.

NOTE: Norfolk Southern is a member of ACCCE.

Cutting edge CCT research at the Notre Dame Energy Center Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/08/2009 09:01:30 AM

Earlier this year, we spoke with University of Notre Dame Professor Edward Maginn at the National Energy Technology Laboratory’s (NETL) annual conference on carbon capture technology. 

Maginn, a professor of chemical and bimolecular engineering, gave us insight about his group’s $3 million U.S. Department of Energy-funded clean coal project at Notre Dame.

Its cutting-edge research is focused on using ionic liquids to separate carbon dioxide (CO2) from flue gas, a breakthrough absorption technology for post-combustion carbon capture.

Intrigued, we sought out more about Notre Dame’s involvement in clean coal technology research. It has a team of scientists and engineers working on clean coal utilization, CO2 separation, and storage sequestration and use at the Notre Dame Energy Center.

According to the center’s Web site, “It is almost inevitable that coal will become the energy and raw material of choice in the coming decades” and “responsible continued use of fossil fuels, whether it be oil, natural gas or coal, will require the capture and storage of CO2.”

The center’s main goal is to develop more energy-efficient clean coal technologies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, mitigating the effects of climate change.

And that’s exactly what Maginn and his team at Notre Dame are doing. Their research is an essential part of pushing the technology forward. Show your support and appreciation for their work by becoming a fan of the University of Notre Dame on Facebook.

Got a clean coal technology university program you think we should write about? Tell us about it in the comments.

New clean coal plant planned for Michigan Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/07/2009 01:00:00 PM

Yesterday, the Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative received a $2.7 million federal grant for their carbon capture and storage project at a coal-generated plant near Rogers City, Mich.

Although Wolverine Power’s 600-megawatt power plant has not yet been built, its CCS demonstration site is planned to capture 300,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) a year. The co-op’s dedication to developing the technology is illustrative of their commitment to building environmentally-conscious plants with the capability to reduce CO2 emissions.

“This gives a lot of credibility to what Wolverine has been saying,” said Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.). “They want to be good stewards of our environment, use the latest technology.”

This is another great example of how building new coal-based plants can benefit the environment while helping us meet growing energy demand. I often wonder why some groups oppose new plants, especially when they’re built for efficiency and accommodations for new clean coal technologies—making them significantly cleaner than their aging counterparts.

These groups are actually standing in the way of progress, obstructing the advancement of the very technologies that will be necessary to meet the environmental standards that they support.

As you can see, Wolverine Power and others in the electric power industry understand that CO2 will become regulated in this country and are planning for the future by making technology investments today. This will allow coal—our most abundant, affordable fuel—to remain a part of America’s energy future.

George Westinghouse: inspiring timeless innovation Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/07/2009 09:00:00 AM

Historically, the electricity sector has seen some of the best and brightest innovators and inventors—so it’s no wonder why today’s energy researchers remain inspired to achieve new advances in electricity. This, for our time, means making it cleaner and more efficient.

But engineers and scientists couldn’t have developed clean coal technology projects like without the contributions of George Westinghouse, Jr., one of the early pioneers of modern electricity.

Today marks the 163rd anniversary of Westinghouse’s birthday. Over the course of his life, he patented more than 100 inventions and founded almost 60 companies, including his own power company, Westinghouse Electric.

Most importantly, he introduced and developed alternating currents for power and light, which ultimately prevailed over Thomas Edison’s direct current system.

Although many years have passed, Westinghouse’s alternating current system is still used to deliver electricity to businesses and homes today.

What will the next wave of innovation bring? I think we’ve got a pretty good idea, as clean coal technologies and alternative energy options make their way to the marketplace. If history is any indication, they’ll change lives and stand the test of time.

Michiganders rally for coal plants at state Capitol Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/06/2009 03:00:00 PM

Contrary to what some groups might have you think, not everyone is against new coal-generated power plants and the jobs they bring to communities.

Such is the case in Michigan, where some 2,000 supporters of all backgrounds and political affiliations will rally on the steps of the state Capitol this afternoon to urge regulators to speed up the permit process for two proposed plants.

“We've got business and labor coming together for one key issue: Put us back to work,” said Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council President Patrick Gleason to Crain’s Detroit Business. “You're looking literally at putting thousands of people to work, with no expense to the taxpayer whatsoever.”

In fact, most Michiganders approve of plans to build new coal-generated power plants, the Detroit Free Press reports.

According to a poll conducted by the Marketing Resource Group of Lansing, 72 and 74 percent of likely voters support plans for new clean coal plants near Rogers City and Bay City. And about 67 percent agree with the premise that a coal-powered plant could be environmentally friendly and socially responsible.

However, the Wolverine Power Cooperative and Consumers Energy, the companies behind the two proposed plants, have found difficulty in obtaining permits for the plants.

That’s why we’re going down to the rally today to show our support. If the majority of Michiganders support coal-generated power plants for jobs and affordable energy, shouldn’t they be able to get it? Leave us a comment and let us know what you think.

And if you’re in Lansing, Mich. today, be sure to stop by the rally and make your voice heard. We’ll have a team there doing the same, so keep an eye out for us.

Peabody chairman says it’s “a new age for new coal” Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/06/2009 01:00:00 PM

Peabody Energy Chairman Gregory Boyce recently went on air with CNBC’s Squawk Box to talk about the Asia-Pacific’s booming coal markets and the tremendous progress being made to advance clean coal technologies.

Developing nations such as China and India are using their huge indigenous reserves of coal to keep up with their energy demand and as a result, coal-generated power plants are being built around the world at a record pace.

“We think there is going to be a new age for new coal,” said Boyce. “We need all types of fuel in the energy mix.”

Boyce also had a chance to talk about technologies like carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) and enhanced oil recovery in detail, answering the anchors’ specific questions about the processes.

He cited StatOil, a natural gas company, as an example. Engineers at their Norway plant have been injecting carbon dioxide into the North Sea for more than a decade to help increase the amount of crude oil that can be extracted from a field.

Globally, Boyce notes that CCS projects are advancing and assured that the technology is safe. Carbon dioxide is injected to the ground as a liquid, he said, and because of the pressure from the geologic formations, it stays that way. “Carbon storage is a natural part of the carbon dioxide cycle,” he said.

We’re glad that the energy industry has voices like Boyce to help educate folks about clean coal technologies and remind the world there is a serious need for it.

Watch Boyce’s video clip and let us know what you think.

Worldwide support for CCS starts with you Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/06/2009 09:00:00 AM

After President Obama’s recent climate change address to the United Nations, Nobel Peace Laureate Wangari Maathai told Democracy Now! that if the U.S. moves forward on reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, the rest of the world will follow.

According to the Kenyan environmentalist, global leaders must come up with an agreement to make sure that “we aren’t emitting more carbon dioxide than we can take” – and the U.S. must use its status as a world leader to set a precedent.

The coal-generated electricity sector shares Maathai’s sentiments, which is why its scientists and engineers have been researching and deploying cutting-edge clean coal technologies for decades – including carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects designed to eliminate CO2 emissions.

And by exporting clean coal technologies and CCS to developing nations like China and India – as well as deploying the technology on a commercial scale within our borders – we can help ensure a clean energy future for our planet.

Many Americans are already working on making this a reality.

Venita McCellon-Allen, a working mother who relies on coal for electricity, has been encouraging Arkansans to support AEP’s John W. Turk power plant by educating them about the economic and environmental benefits of clean coal.

We hope you follow Venita – as well as a host of other Americans – and ask your friends and family to support clean coal technology – because if Maathai is right, our efforts will go a long way in leading the world into a clean energy future.

President Obama Declares October National Energy Awareness Month Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/05/2009 01:12:40 PM

We all know how passionate President Obama is about strengthening our energy security, creating green jobs and developing clean coal technology – so it’s no surprise that he recently declared October National Energy Awareness Month.

This special month will highlight our nation’s energy issues by promoting the importance of a clean energy economy and recognizing the companies and organizations that are committed to innovation in energy.

These two initiatives are important factors in strengthening our global competitiveness and securing our energy independence—two issues that should be brought into focus as climate change legislation moves through the Senate.

Honoring the folks who work hard to help us reach these goals is important. We’re particularly proud of those in our industry to make coal-generated electricity even cleaner, with cutting-edge technologies like carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) and integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC).

With technical and financial contributions to these emissions-reducing technologies, I’m confident we can become the world’s leading exporter in clean coal technology and exemplify how to jumpstart a depressed economy with technology.

How will you give thanks and show your support to members of the energy industry this month? Post a comment and let us know. And don’t forget to visit AmericasPower.org to check your knowledge of the country’s energy and environmental issues.

“The CO2 Story” breaks down the CCS process Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/05/2009 09:00:00 AM

As much as we love our YouTube videos on our Balanced Energy channel, we have to acknowledge the other great stuff out there as well.

Basin Electric Power’s mini-documentary “The CO2 Story” is particularly watch-worthy. It follows the company’s clean coal technology project at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant in North Dakota, which captures carbon dioxide (CO2) from the plant and pumps it to Canada where it’s used for enhanced oil recovery.

The video does an excellent job of showing the science behind the technology – the project’s engineers and employees from the plant explain the process of carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) in a way that’s easy to understand.

With the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen around the corner and climate legislation making its way through the Senate, it’s the right time to study up on advanced clean coal technologies and the projects going on across the country. This video is a great place to start.

Tell us what you think about “The CO2 Story” in the comments below—and let us know what documentaries, videos or webisodes you think we should check out.

And be sure to visit our Balanced Energy YouTube channel. We have nearly 100 videos on our channel, including everything from interviews with carbon capture experts to the stories of folks who rely on low-cost energy from coal.

Note: Basin Electric Power Cooperative is a member of ACCCE.

It’s Your Turn Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/02/2009 01:00:54 PM

I just saw that the new unemployment numbers are in – and not to sugarcoat it – they are scary.

According to the Los Angeles Times:

“Last month's job reductions were felt in almost every major sector, except for healthcare, which added 19,000 jobs as it has continued to grow during the recession. Construction payrolls fell by 64,000 over the month, and manufacturing lost 51,000 jobs. Factory employment has now fallen by 2.1 million since the recession began in December 2007.”

These numbers tell me two things, at least in regards to electricity production (that is our focus here). One, we need to keep electricity rates affordable for those families who have lost one – or more – jobs in their household recently. Two, we need to spur job creation to get people back to work.

Normally this is where I make my pitch for more clean coal technology funding (I truly believe that is the best course for this nation) but today it’s your turn to end this post in your own words.

So knowing the two issues of the day – creating jobs and keeping electricity rates low – what’s your solution? Let’s hear it.

Getting CCS “right” at Columbia University Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/02/2009 09:00:00 AM

After interviewing students and professors this year’s Research Experience in Carbon Sequestration (RECS), we realized that some of the most passionate supporters of clean coal technology (CCT) hailed from Columbia University’s Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering (EEE) in the Henry Crumb School of Mines.

“I’m interested in helping to solve problems on a large scale, and I think that CCS would enable us to do that,” EEE student Miriam told us in an interview.

Tim, another EEE student who is working on a PhD on the storage of sulfur and sulfates, said “we have to keep all our options open, and carbon sequestration is one of them.”

Their enthusiasm encouraged us to learn more about their program. It turns out that CCT is one of the main pillars of EEE’s research and specifically focuses on how clean coal technology can be incorporated into the energy and industrial infrastructure for the 21st century.

According to EEE’s Web site, the program plans to achieve this by “treating the inefficiencies and by-products” of fossil fuels through technologies such as carbon sequestration, zero-emission coal, catalysis and recycling.

Department chair Dr. Klaus Lackner, who also spoke with us at RECS , is also working on cutting-edge clean coal projects. Dr. Lackner and his colleagues at Columbia have partnered with Global Research Technologies to develop a new method of capturing carbon from the air in a process called “air extraction.” It will be the company’s first step toward a commercially viable clean coal technology.

Dr. Lackner and the team of experts at Columbia University are another example of the people who are dedicated to pushing essential clean coal technologies forward. Show your support and appreciation for their work by becoming a fan of Columbia University’s Earth Institute on Facebook.