DOE giving $575 million in carbon capture grants

By The AP
Tuesday, September 7, 2010

WASHINGTON — The Energy Department said today it was awarding $575 million for carbon capture research-and-development projects in 15 states.

The experimental technique involves storing carbon dioxide emissions from coal plants and other sources underground, in an attempt to reduce pollution blamed for contributing to global warming.

“This is a major step forward in the fight to reduce carbon emissions from industrial plants,” said Energy Secretary Steven Chu. “These new technologies will not only help fight climate change, they will create jobs now and help position the United States to lead the world in clean coal technologies, which will only increase in demand in the years ahead.”

All told, he said, the department has invested more than $4 billion in carbon storage and capture, matched by more than $7 billion in private investments.

The newest money will fund 22 projects in 15 states, ranging from evaluation of geologic sites for carbon storage to development of turbo-machinery and engines to help improve carbon capture and storage. The projects, in states including California, Pennsylvania, Colorado, New York and Texas, are being funded from the economic stimulus law.