Cleaner coal power plant gets underway in US

10 June 2008 23:41  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--A new power plant project was announced on Tuesday, raising the possibility of a cleaner use of coal that, if adopted nationwide, could alleviate US demand for natural gas and make more of the feedstock available for petrochemicals.

If the $6m (€3.84m), 50-MW plant in New York state proves to be a success, the facility may launch a trend of building plants that rely on coal. Coal is in abundant supply in North America but is widely shunned since it emits much more carbon when burned than natural gas.

The plant would sequester carbon dioxide emissions underground, possibly creating an environmental incentive to invest in similar facilities in the future.

State governor David Paterson lauded the plant as a step toward US energy independence, a technological breakthrough and environmental responsibility.

“We must act immediately to find ways to generate electricity, use energy wisely, maintain energy diversity and create jobs locally,” Paterson said in a statement.

($1 = €0.64)

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By: David Rosen
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