Alberta to introduce ‘modern’ coal policy, including ban on new open-pit projects
The new policy will not affect those qualified as "advanced coal projects" such as the controversial Grassy Mountain mine.
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has released a draft Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to solicit public input on the demonstration of multiple commercial-scale Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) or other clean coal power plants with cutting-edge carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology under the Department’s restructured FutureGen approach. The draft solicitation outlines the planned scope of the project, evaluation criteria, terms and conditions, and cost sharing requirements for public-private cooperation under FutureGen. DOE announced a restructured approach to its FutureGen project on January 30, 2008, to build on technological research and development advancements in CCS technology achieved over the past five years, changing market conditions for clean coal technology, as well as efforts to limit taxpayer exposure and maximise the federal government’s investment in this cutting-edge technology. The restructured approach aims to accelerate the near-term deployment of advanced clean coal technology by equipping new IGCC or other clean coal commercial power plants – that generate at least 300 MW of power – with CCS technology and, with multiple projects funded, is expected to at least double the amount of CO2 sequestered compared to the concept announced in 2003. (more…)
