The facts: IGCC technology Posted by Joe Lucas on 11/20/2009 09:00:00 AM

We’ve gone into great depth on this blog about the investments the power industry has made to produce increasingly clean energy from coal. We’re proud of the results, but we’re not resting on our laurels.

That’s why it’s important to support clean coal technology efforts that will build on this success, such as the construction of Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) plants, which gasify fuels like coal to generate electricity more efficiently than traditional power plants.

To put the importance of IGCC into perspective, consider this fact: the Energy Information Administration predicted that 55 percent of new coal capacity developed from 2004 to 2030 will be IGCC.

To learn a little more about how IGCC works, check out our video interview with Stephen Jenkins, vice president of gasification services for CH2M Hill. He does a great job turning a complex process into an understandable concept.

And remember, IGCC is just one part of an ever-increasing suite of clean coal technologies that have already helped make today’s coal-based generating fleet 77% cleaner in terms of emissions currently regulated under existing Clean Air Act programs per unit of energy produced.

As we said, we’re proud of those results – but we’re confident the best is yet to come.

The facts: Coal’s economic impact tomorrow Posted by Joe Lucas on 11/17/2009 09:00:00 AM

Not only does coal provide nearly 50 percent of our country’s electricity, it’s also a big job creator. As we push ahead with carbon capture and storage and other technologies, we hope that innovation will preserve the jobs we have and expand on that workforce in the decades to come.

The findings of a Pennsylvania State University study speak to the economic promise coal can offer:

United States coal production, transportation and consumption for electric power generation will contribute more than $1 trillion of gross output – including 6.8 million jobs – directly and indirectly to the economy of the contiguous U. S. in 2015.

That’s why we are so enthusiastic about American Electric Power’s recent announcement that its Mountaineer plant in New Haven, W.Va., has become the first in the U. S. to capture a portion of CO2 emissions and store it underground.

Innovative projects like the one at Mountaineer could also benefit America’s bottom line by creating jobs. A recent report from key labor and energy industry groups, including ACCCE, finds that clean coal technologies will create millions of high-skilled, high-wage jobs for American workers.

So let’s continue to build a clean-energy infrastructure that will provide us with the affordable energy – and good jobs – we need to keep moving the country forward.

What coal means to the U.S. workforce Posted by Joe Lucas on 11/16/2009 10:43:39 AM

Did you know that the coal industry employs people in four primary groups – coal production, coal transportation, power generation and power plant suppliers? Furthermore, the coal industry provides jobs to construction workers building new plants or retrofitting existing plants, as well as to researchers and scientists who are developing new clean coal technologies like carbon capture and sequestration (CCS).

To put that in perspective, consider the number of mining jobs alone in the United States: more than 81,000.

In addition to direct jobs associated with coal, other jobs are created because of access to low-cost energy. A recent study found that energy costs are second only to labor costs for a business, and coal-based electricity provides the affordable energy we need to create American jobs and get the economy back on track.

At one-third of the price of most other fuels, it’s easy to connect the dots from an affordable energy source to steady, reliable jobs.

How much coal does your state use to generate electricity? Find your state on the map and see how your state’s use of coal correlates to energy prices. You might be surprised at the impact coal-generated electricity has on your community...

The facts: Coal-generated power equals affordable electricity in the U.S. Posted by Joe Lucas on 11/10/2009 09:00:00 AM

As leaders from around the globe prepare to convene next month in Copenhagen for the U.N. Climate Change Conference to consider how to best use our energy resources in the coming decades, let’s take a moment to consider how critical coal is to our energy future.

In addition to being our most abundant domestic energy source, coal is also our most affordable fuel. Here’s why it must remain a part of our energy future:

•Coal generates electricity at about one-third the cost of other fuels.

•Twenty-three of the 25 power plants in the U.S. that have the lowest operating costs – and therefore provide power to their consumers at the lowest prices – are fueled by coal, according to an electric power industry journal.

•Coal prices are expected to fluctuate between $1.40 and $1.50 per million Btu (in 2004 dollars) through 2030, based on forecasting by the Energy Information Administration. Meanwhile, the EIA predicts natural gas prices of $6.26 and petroleum prices of $7.61 per million Btu for the same time period.

•Generating electricity in 2025 using carbon-capture technology will be equal to today’s cost of new power generation without carbon capture, according to the Department of Energy.

As world leaders attempt to forge an agreement that seeks to reverse the effects of climate change while at the same time providing the energy dependability that millions count on, these facts indicate that coal must be part of the solution.

Let us know what you think.

‘We’ve got to get back into the business of making stuff’ Posted by Joe Lucas on 11/09/2009 01:00:00 PM

The lack of government investment in energy research is increasing the risk to national security and hindering the creation of breakthrough energy technologies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology President Susan Hockfield told Bloomberg News last week.

As we approach Veterans Day, her message could not have rung truer. Hockfield said that the Obama administration’s request for $6.7 billion in U.S. energy-research funds “isn’t enough to move the U.S. toward energy independence.” (Her institution was the site of President Obama’s speech last month to highlight the nation’s need for clean energy.)

In order to create this technology, the government needs to invest in the research and development. And private industry wants to pitch in and lend a helping hand to its innovation.

More funding could build more robust public-private partnerships. Companies behind carbon capture and storage projects, such as Dominion’s Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center in Wise County, Va., and American Electric Power’s Mountaineer project in New Haven, W.Va., are already seeking federal stimulus funding to ensure more efficient generation of our most abundant energy supply.

Investing in our domestic energy supply – as Hockfield stressed – is essential to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and gas.

But first, she said, “We’ve got to get back into the business of making stuff.” We agree.

The Facts: The real origin of ‘clean coal’ Posted by Joe Lucas on 11/09/2009 09:00:00 AM

Critics claim that it doesn’t exist, that it’s just a catchphrase concocted by the coal industry.

In reality, clean coal technologies have been in use for decades – and we have lots of examples that demonstrate the progress we’ve made (see below). But the term itself? That’s not something we can take credit for. Its origin can be found in a 1987 U.S. Senate bill:

“The term ‘clean coal technology’ means any technology … deployed at a new or existing facility which will achieve significant reductions in air emissions of sulfur dioxide or oxides of nitrogen associated with the utilization of coal in the generation of electricity.”

Today, clean coal technology refers to any technology associated with reducing emissions from coal-based electricity generation.

That covers a lot of innovation, for starters:

•More than $6 billion in research is underway right now across the United States to expand the depths of clean coal research.

•This month, American Electric Power Co.’s Mountaineer facility in New Haven, W.Va., became the country’s first coal-generated power plant to bury carbon emissions.

•And progress is being made on FutureGen, a proposed $1.5 billion project that would be the world's first coal-fueled, near-zero emissions power plant.

Every good term develops a life of its own, and we are proud that “clean coal” has taken off in more ways than one.

A proud heritage Posted by Joe Lucas on 11/06/2009 01:00:00 PM

Joe is off for the day, so Steve Gates, our national communications director, is filling in for this update. Steve is a regular contributor to our Factuality Tour, which tells the story of coal-generated electricity in America – from mine to plug.

I was reading through the Huffington Post this morning, and saw an article from Kevin Grandia calling a coloring book from West Virginia’s Friends of Coal “one of the most ridiculous pieces of propaganda the coal lobby has produced to date.” Really? Teaching children about their region’s history and importance is ridiculous? Sorry, but I beg to differ.

As someone who was raised in that part of the world, learning about coal was required when I was in school for many reasons. Coal mining is, was and will be a vital industry in places like southwestern Pennsylvania and West Virginia. We were required to know the different types of coal, and we even (gasp) toured a coal mine to learn how our fathers and grandfathers earned a living. We grew to be extremely proud of the vitally important role our region’s coal played in producing steel to literally build this country.

My children learn about coal to this day. Why? Because their grandfather worked in the mines for 40 years, ensuring that his family had food on the table and a roof over their head. But more importantly, his job ensured that everyone had access to affordable electricity. Was it an easy living? Not in the least. But Mr. Grandia, when you call an attempt to educate children about the role their area plays in the world “ridiculous,” you are insulting generations of proud families who are – get this – proud of their heritage.

In fact, last year I stopped by Waynesburg, Pa., and asked people what they thought about life in a mining town. Give it a look...

Climate bill needs to protect jobs – and create new ones Posted by Joe Lucas on 11/02/2009 03:57:52 PM

There is no doubt that the climate bill has the potential to create jobs in the new clean energy sector – including in carbon capture and sequestration (CCS).

According to a study by BBC Research and Consulting, the deployment of power plants equipped with CCS could generate $1 trillion of economic output and create between 5 million and 7 million man-years of employment.

However, with unemployment at almost 10 percent, the bill also needs to protect existing jobs – particularly manufacturing jobs in energy-intensive industries. We want to avoid “trading” current jobs in the industry for newly created jobs.

Everybody recognizes that a bill that will result in meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas emissions will – to some extent – increase energy costs. But energy costs are identified as a significant factor in determining the “cost of doing business” in a state – second only to labor costs.

While we recognize that a cap-and-trade rule is an option for a federal program (which we support), adding cost containment to the bill is essential to ensure we don’t see unnecessary increases in costs and, therefore, protects existing jobs.

Note: The BBC study was prepared for the Industrial Union Council, the AFL-CIO, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the United Mine Workers of America and the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity.

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.

"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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

We can lead the world in clean coal technologies Posted by Joe Lucas on 09/21/2009 09:00:00 AM

When U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu visited China this summer, he had one goal in mind: to open China’s market to American clean technology products while pushing China to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Chu also laid out plans for how the U.S. would export and transfer the technology to China.

Clearly, Chu recognizes that the U.S. is a leader in technologies like carbon capture and sequestration (CCS).

It’s easy to understand why – there are more than 200 clean coal programs and projects across the U.S. and nearly $6 billion in research underway in 41 states. Some American engineers, scientists and geologists have been working on clean coal technology for more than a decade.

With the new administration’s support of CCT, U.S. energy companies are making headway – just last week, the Southern Company (an ACCCE member) announced that China would be the first to implement Transport Integrated Gasification, the company’s technology for producing low-emission coal-based electricity.

Other U.S. energy companies are choosing to team up with their Chinese counterparts. Houston-based Future Fuels and Beijing-based Thermal Power Research Institute will focus on constructing coal-based electricity plants in both the U.S. and China.

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 U.S.

They need CCT just as much we do – but we have the technology know-how. It’s time for the U.S. to step up to the plate and lead the way in mitigating climate change.

Clean Coal Technology: it’s all around us Posted by Joe Lucas on 09/18/2009 12:59:00 PM

For a while this week, it seemed as though all of Washington was absorbed with clean coal technology. On Monday and Tuesday, not one, but two, conferences focused on carbon capture and sequestration (CCS).

We had to choose which one to attend, and we went with the one organized by the American Conference Institute. (Trade publisher Platts did the second one.)

I have to tell you we came away from ACI’s CCS summit encouraged about where the technology is heading.

Hearing about different CCS projects reminded us of the clean coal technology map wekeep on the AmericasPower.org site to help us track new clean coal projects around the country.

According to our data, there is over $6 billion in clean coal research underway right now in 41 states – even ones not normally associated with coal production.

The projects run the gamut from integrated gasification combined cycle research to advanced fossil energy research. (You can learn a lot about just how complex it is and how many different organizations are working on it just by clicking from one dot to another.)

Check out the map to find a clean coal research project near you – and if we missed any, be sure to let us know in the comment box below.

The CCS Summit reminded us of Venita Posted by Joe Lucas on 09/17/2009 01:00:00 PM

We just returned from ACI’S Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) Summit here in Washington, D.C. and learned some interesting new facts about the technology behind CCS. We also met and interviewed a few movers and shakers in the industry.

Speaking to all those energy folks reminded us of our friend Venita, an executive vice president at AEP West. Her career has been dedicated to providing affordable electricity for Americans. On top of that, she’s passionate about clean coal technology.

“We have to plan for the long term. That’s what we believe we’re doing with the advancement of clean coal technology – building a way to the future,” she says.

Although she couldn’t attend the summit, we’re confident that her carbon capture and sequestration knowledge is up-to-snuff.

Watch her videos and see for yourself – Venita has been encouraging members of her community to support AEP’s John W. Turk power plant by educating them about the economic and environmental benefits of clean coal.

You can be a clean coal and CCS expert, too – but asking questions is the first step. Check out our live coverage from the CCS summit and tell us what you think in the comment box below.

CCS shines at the Rutgers Energy Institute Posted by Joe Lucas on 09/17/2009 09:00:00 AM

We didn’t know much about Rutgers University’s energy research until we met Ben, a Rutgers graduate student, at the Research Experience in Carbon Sequestration in New Mexico.

Ben, who is studying atmospheric science, believes that carbon capture and storage (CCS) is “an important ingredient in solving the problem of global warming.” Hearing how passionate he felt about clean coal technology got us interested in learning more about Rutgers’ climate and energy programs.

We were excited to discover the Rutgers Energy Institute (REI), a center that integrates the university’s expertise in science and engineering and puts it toward alternative energy research – including CCS and the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. Just this month, REI received almost $8 million in federal grants from the National Science Foundation.

According to the REI Web site, the CCS research focuses on:

•Developing technology to capture CO2 from coal-generated power plants and other point sources such as oil refineries and cement factories

•Exploring the potential for large-scale and long-term storage of CO2 in both onshore and offshore geologic formations

It’s no wonder Ben is so motivated about pushing CCS forward – he’s got the right resources behind him to help pave the way for a clean coal technology future.

Join the Rutgers University fan page on Facebook or follow Rutgers’ environmental school on Twitter.

Five U.S. senators urge support for CCS Posted by Joe Lucas on 09/16/2009 02:30:55 PM

Last Friday, five senators released provisions to climate legislation working its way through the Senate, encouraging increased allowances for coal-generated power plants as they sequester more emissions. Allowances are an important component of climate legislation as they allow utilities to protect their customers from higher electricity costs.

The senators also voiced support for a $10 billion, 10-year program to deploy carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technology at the commercial scale across the U.S., noting that “it is in the public interest to achieve widespread, commercial-scale deployment of carbon capture and storage, both in America and throughout Asia before January 1, 2030.”

While we can’t comment on the particulars of the provisions (we’re still reading them), we can say that these recommendations will help as the Senate writes climate legislation. Because as we’ve said before, an effective climate policy needs to ensure:

1. Adequate protections to shield rate-payers from higher energy costs; and

2. Support for the commercial deployment of advanced clean coal technologies like CCS—which experts agree is essential to meeting global emissions reduction goals.

All of our efforts here at ACCCE are part of our mission to make certain that whatever bill the Senate passes protects our vulnerable economy and rate-payers, promotes job creation and creates solutions for reducing emissions. It’s encouraging to see policymakers set in motion the actions to get us there.

Affordable energy keeps school dollars where they belong – in the classroom Posted by Joe Lucas on 09/16/2009 01:00:00 PM

As we learned from energy efficiency consultant Fred Shelton, saving money on electricity means more money for other necessities.

This is as important for American schools as it is for American families. Schools that save on energy costs have more money left over for classroom needs and extracurricular programs.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the annual energy bill to operate America’s primary and secondary schools totals nearly $8 billion – more than is spent on textbooks and computers combined!

That’s why using affordable energy and creating measures to improve energy efficiency are so necessary. EPA said one Oregon school system saved $1.3 million in utility costs – the equivalent of 24 full-time teacher’s salaries – by being more energy-efficient.

Imagine how much could be saved if schools generated their electricity from low-cost energy sources like coal. While there is no single solution to our energy challenges, coal is a key ingredient keeping energy costs affordable – something to keep in mind as we open our wallets this back-to-school season.

Take a look at Fred’s webisodes to see how affordable energy protects his family budget, and head over to AmericasPower.org to learn how much of your state’s electricity comes from coal.

What they’re saying: clean coal technology and the economy Posted by Joe Lucas on 09/09/2009 09:00:00 AM

With the climate change bill moving through the Senate and the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen around the corner, many public officials have voiced their opinions about the importance of coal and clean coal technology. Here’s a sampling of what they’ve been saying lately:

On clean coal technology:

Bjørn Lomborg, professor at the Copenhagen Business School and director of the Copenhagen Consensus Center, Wall Street Journal (8/28): In an op-ed, Lomborg “urges action to address global warming, and argues that the most effective way to address the problem is through technology. Economic sanctions such as a carbon tax or cap-and-trade program will only hinder technological development.”

On the Department of Energy’s announcement of $27 million in funding for clean coal technology:

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Washington Examiner (8/28): “The University of Texas at Austin is one of seven organizations receiving funding to develop sequestration technology training projects.” The $8.4 million awarded to the university “will be used to train site developers, geologists, engineers, and technicians in order to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and technologies for CO2 sequestration.” Said Chu, “These projects will train workers for a clean energy economy and help position the United States as a leader in carbon capture and storages technologies for years to come.”

On the benefits of coal:

Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.), The Shelby County Reporter (8/26): “Its [coal’s] advantages are that it’s abundant and relatively low-cost. Coal production is a huge source of revenue, as the total annual value of coal produced in the state exceeds $1 billion.”

Helping The Environment And The Economy At The Same Time Posted by Joe Lucas on 08/21/2009 04:00:00 PM

According to a recent study, the majority of West Virginians believe their state’s economic growth should be given priority, even at the expense of protecting their environment.

But West Virginia can have their cake and eat it, too – clean coal technology will make it possible for Americans to boost the economy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The importance of advanced technology for carbon capture and storage is that it is a path for us to remove the choice from that poll, which we believe to be a false choice.

We do not have to sacrifice the environment. And we do not have to sacrifice economic recovery.

A study conducted by BBC Research and Consulting says that the commercial-scale deployment of clean coal technology will generate up to $1 trillion of economic output and create more than 7 million man-years of employment.

The takeaway is that we can help both the economy and the environment at the same time.

Listening to the energy concerns of real America Posted by Joe Lucas on 08/14/2009 12:47:52 PM

This week, Team Virginia focused on listening to the energy concerns of real America – people, as the team says, “who are struggling to pay their electric bill every month.”

The team was able to find those voices in two small towns south of Richmond: Franklin and Emporia. Walking down Main Street, the team members spoke to small business owners, customers, construction workers and even people eating breakfast.

Most of the townspeople agreed that the cost of energy needs to stay affordable.

Many people across the country express the same sentiment.

In our latest ad campaign, we spoke to three everyday Americans who are concerned with the climate change debate and want to make sure that – just like the residents of Franklin and Emporia – legislation keeps energy affordable.

Great work, Team Virginia! You hit the nail right on the head.

Take a look at the video, and make sure to explore our new campaign.

Talking Affordable Energy in Ohio and Missouri Posted by Joe Lucas on 08/11/2009 11:27:48 AM

Yesterday was a big day for Team Missouri -- they started at the State Capitol building in St. Charles and ended at the Cardinal's game in St. Louis.

The team discovered that many people in the Show-Me State are concerned with their rising electricity prices and want to know why coal is an important aspect to the state's energy mix -- which of course, the team was happy to answer. Coal provides 82 percent of Missouri's electricity, and if coal was removed from the energy mix, the state could lose 317,000 jobs by 2015.

Team Missouri even met a few folks who had never heard of clean coal before!

Meanwhile, Team Ohio reached out to families at Licking County's Hartford Fair, dubbed "the biggest little fair in the world." Locals agreed that the way to keep jobs in Ohio was by supporting clean coal technology.

The team even overheard a high school student tell her friends they should wear the affordable energy hats our team was handing out because "coal for electricity is good, and work should be done to make it green."

Keep up the good work, teams!

For more live updates from the road, follow our Twitter.

America’s Power Weekend Roundup Posted by Joe Lucas on 08/10/2009 12:50:49 PM

If it seems like the America’s Power Army was everywhere this weekend, that’s because they were!

-Team Pennsylvania visited Greene County, a mining community south of Pittsburgh, and got a firsthand account of life in the coal industry from hardworking Pennsylvanians who are proud to dedicate their lives to powering America.

-Despite stormy weather and tornado threats, Team Michigan traveled from Lansing to Marshall to the Jackson County Fair, stopping to chat with folks along the way about how affordable energy is needed to rebuild our economy.

-Team Ohio got a chance to attend a few Buckeye State events: the Wood County Fair, the Northwest Ohio Rib-off and a Toledo Mud Hens baseball game . The team even participated in a parade in Doylestown and got the whole town pumped about affordable energy.

- It was all work and no play for Team Virginia this weekend, even though they were on the sunny shores of Virginia Beach. They immediately sprung into action and spoke to everyone from beachgoers to energy engineers about the importance of clean coal technology.

-Team Indiana stopped by a custom car and truck show in Indianapolis, the Irvington Farmers Market and an Indians game downtown. The team surprised many Hoosiers with a fact about their state: over 90 percent of their electricity is generated from coal.

Want to know what else the teams have been up to? Follow their journey on our Twitter.

Team Virginia Talks Affordable Energy In Richmond Posted by Joe Lucas on 08/10/2009 09:16:50 AM

In case you didn't catch Team Virginia in Richmond, here's a video of their trip to the state capitol. The team spoke to locals about affordable electricity and what it means to the state.

If you want to follow along with Team Virginia, go to http://twitter.com/americaspower and click the #VA hashtag.

America's Power hits downtown Richmond Posted by Joe Lucas on 08/07/2009 02:05:03 PM

When we say that America's Power^SM is hitting the streets, we mean it - literally.

This week, Team Virginia (we have teams in many key states across the country) stopped in downtown Richmond to get people excited about clean coal technology and its impact on the U.S. economy.

Free shirts and hats in hand, the team stormed the 17th Street Market, the State Capitol building, Richmond's business district and local food joints, Jo Jo's Pizza and Padow's Ham and Deli.

What did the team discover in Richmond? People are enthusiastic about clean and affordable energy and recognize the value of the coal industry - not only for powering Virginia homes, but for their efforts toward reducing the environmental impact of statewide coal consumption. And the free stuff, too!