Green Energy Reporter

Growing funding, both at the state and federal level, for carbon capture and storage projects could ensure the construction of up to 10 test plants over the next four years, says a recently issued report by Emerging Energy Research.

“As state and federal funding accelerates over the next two years, EER estimates that more than 10 CCS projects, each greater than 100 MW, are positioned to begin construction by 2013 in the US, with a potential combined capacity of more than 4,000 MW,” EER  outlines.

The findings come amidst growing doubt that CCS can transition from scientific theory to become an effective, working technology. For more on that, take a look at this International Energy Agency study, here. Also, take a look at this article.

But EER says there is growing political momentum — and funding — for large-scale testing and deployment of CCS power plants, all be it on a testing phase.

The $787 billion federal stimulus, recently signed into law by President Obama, includes $3.5 billion for CCS projects. Specifically, about $800 million will go to the Department of Energy’s Clean Coal Power Initiative as well as $80 million for carbon sequestration research and development.

At the state level Illinois recently approved energy legislation requiring local utilities and power retailers to supply 5 percent of their electricity from coal plants that capture and sequester CO2.

The Texas legislature is considering to extend tax credits for companies developing plants using IGCC –  Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle –  a carbon sequestration technology that turns coal into cleaner hydrogen. To get the tax credit the proposed legislation mandates IGCC facilities capture and sequester at least 60% of their CO2 emissions.

Pennsylvania and Michigan have also recently introduced CCS funding proposals.

EER estimates that currently there are about 1,500 MW of CCS demonstration projects at some stage of development in the U.S.