Conservation, Efficiency and
Environmental Protection

Clean Coal Technology

Coal-based integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC technology) is a process which involves gasifying coal to generate a synthetic gas that is mostly composed of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The gas is then used to fuel a combustion turbine. This process offers the potential for cost-effective and cleaner coal energy.

  • Supply:  There are two small-scale IGCC commercial plants operating today: a 250 MW (MW) facility operated by Tampa Electric Power in Florida and a 300 MW facility operated by Cinergy in Indiana.
  • Legislative Initiatives:  The original Clean Coal Technology (CCT) program began in 1984 to demonstrate emissions control technologies, advanced electric power generation facilities, and coal and industrial processing projects. Congress had appropriated $2.5 billion for the CCT program by 1990, but since 1994 as much as $300 million had been deferred or rescinded because of limited commercial prospects and less Administration interest. President Bush has revived the program through the Clean Coal Power Initiative (CCPI). This is a 10-year, $2 billion government-industry cost sharing program structured similarly to the original CCT program.

This issue brief does not represent the viewpoint of the Energy Initiative or the positions of its individual members. This summary provides merely a starting point for the working group's education and discussion of the issue. To learn more about the working groups click here.

 
Copyright 2006, The Energy Initiative.