The price of Western coal tripled last year, imitating the run-up in natural gas and putting a fresh spotlight on the fuel source that provides much of the nation’s electricity.
Burning coal gives off pollutants like mercury, sulfur and carbon dioxide (chief suspect in global warming), yet captures just one-third of its potential energy – burning coal is like driving a gas-guzzling car.
We need to be smarter about our coal use.
Colorado should grasp an opportunity to see whether a clean, efficient technology – integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) – can be used in our state. To do so, lawmakers must approve two bills.
House Bill 1281 would authorize a feasibility study of whether the technology would work at high altitude and with Western coal, and would give the Public Utilities Commission guidelines for evaluating whether to allow construction of a demonstration project. Sponsored by Rep. Jack Pommer of Boulder and Sen. Ken Gordon of Denver, HB 1281 faces second reading in the full House this week.
House Bill 1322 would pay for the feasibility study from the state’s severance-tax revenues. Of the $145 million in annual severance taxes the state collects, the bill would dedicate $3 million per year over three years for the IGCC study and another $3 million a year for three years for renewable energy and efficiency projects. Sponsored by Rep. Bernie Buescher of Mesa County and Sen. Abel Tapia of Pueblo, the bill is before the appropriations committee.
The bills enjoy strong support from a broad spectrum of groups, including the Colorado Mining Association, environmental groups, labor unions, Xcel Energy and rural electric associations. Notably, the bills would boost use of a mineral that pays severance taxes.
IGCC plants cost more to build than conventional coal plants, but the technology offers significant benefits.
Instead of burning coal, IGCC uses high heat and steam to turn coal into synthetic natural gas. Pollutants are removed from the “syngas,” then it is burned in an efficient turbine generator.
Heat from the gasification process and exhaust from the gas turbine make steam, which is used to power another generator.
So, electricity is made at two points in the process, and most pollution is eliminated. The technology also can capture carbon dioxide, which can be sold or sequestered.
ConocoPhillips says its IGCC unit in Indiana is “the cleanest coal-fired power plant in the world.” Texaco says its process eliminates two-thirds of coal’s carbon dioxide output. Shell says it can squeeze another fuel, hydrogen, from its technology. Eight ICGG plants are operating worldwide, including three in the United States with plans for three more.
But the existing IGCC plants are at or near sea level and use types of coal that contain more energy per ton than coal found in Colorado and neighboring states. The project outlined in pending legislation would be the first of its kind. That’s why the feasibility study is key.
Lawmakers should approve the bills so Colorado can determine whether IGCC works at high altitude and with Western coal.
