Future of FutureGen

The Department of Energy’s recent announcement to suspend funding for further development of the FutureGen 2.0 project in Meredosia, Illinois was a surprise and a disappointment. FutureGen 2.0 was planned as a world-class coal power plant carbon capture and storage project, achieving near-zero emissions. At its core has been a successful partnership of DOE, the FutureGen Alliance, and the State of Illinois – an important demonstration of government and industry commitment. This flagship project, which DOE has made a point of showcasing, now seems destined to perish.

It is ironic that while the administration continues to espouse the need for clean energy development, its record of action on coal technology continues to move in the opposite direction. From EPA’s unprecedented 2014 regulatory proposals on carbon emissions from the power sector to this announcement by DOE, there will be a chilling effect on the advancement of coal technology in the United States.

{mosads}The implications go far beyond America, since the use of fossil fuels will continue to increase to accommodate growing international energy demand. Coal use alone is projected to rise to 9 billion tons worldwide by 2019, according to the International Energy Agency. The Administration and U.S. policymakers need to recognize this reality and change course. Energy technology solutions must be aligned with global fuel realities. We have the opportunity to exhibit meaningful global climate and energy leadership through active, ongoing support of innovative projects such as FutureGen 2.0.  Beyond that, there must be a U.S. policy imperative for far greater speed and scale in coal CCS development, according to a new National Coal Council study of CCS conducted at the request of Secretary Moniz. Speed and scale is essential to success in advancing, maturing, and deploying CCS technology. And only through sustained support will cost-effective commercialization be achieved.

World energy leaders recognize that advancing the development of cost-effective coal technology is the critical path to its global adoption, and to meeting energy and environmental goals. Coal is abundant, accessible, secure, and reliable. Its use is a priority for developing nations around the world as they work to electrify their economies and improve living standards for their people.

The U.S. has already achieved a reduction of conventional power sector emissions of nearly 90% over the past four decades. Much of that success was due to industry partnership with DOE, and it is the reason that off-the-shelf technologies for conventional emissions reduction are widely available. For our leadership to make a difference to the rest of the world going forward, the expansion of that DOE partnership is needed now.

The future of FutureGen? Let’s begin with a reversal of DOE’s decision to strand this world-class project.

Monseu is the chief executive officer of the American Coal Council.