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| Cleaner coal technology key to the world's energy future GE Energy and the University of Wyoming announced an agreement to further cleaner coal technology, making coal-fired power generation more viable in America. Under the agreement, GE and the university will develop the High Plains Gasification Advanced Technology Center to accelerate the commercial use of cleaner coal technology. In the United States, coal supplies more than 50 percent of the country's current electricity generation and it plays an important role in meeting the nation's energy needs. Coal is an abundant, low-cost, domestic, natural resource that continues to be a significant part of America's energy mix. Wyoming is uniquely positioned in the nation's energy landscape and has vast coal resources capable of supporting a substantial portion of the nation's energy needs. The state produces approximately 40 percent of all of the coal used in the United States to generate electricity. The new center will include a small-scale gasification system that will enable researchers from GE and the university to develop advanced gasification solutions for Powder River Basin and other Wyoming coals. The research is expected to expand the range of coals that can be used with GE's integrated gasification combined-cycle (IGCC) technology for power plants. The facility is expected to be operational by 2012. To create a path forward for coal, future climate change policy will be needed to incentivize the deployment of already-available low carbon technology and to foster further improvements that will bring down the cost of carbon capture and sequestration. "This project underscores the commitment of both the University of Wyoming and GE to work toward U.S. energy independence and plan for future energy needs," said Steve Bolze, president and CEO of GE Energy's Power & Water business. "We believe that our country's energy and environmental policies should promote a balance of available, reliable, cleaner and low-cost energy. The use of cleaner coal technology helps create jobs, support economic growth and positively impacts the environment." write your comments about the article :: © 2008 Construction News :: home page |