Green Refinery?

New technology is coming quickly that will revolutionize the way we manufacture fuel. Here is another example.

'Green refinery' would be a first

Plant's aim is to capture carbon emissions

U.S. Helping Chinese Coal Mines Clean Their Act

We constantly hear rhetoric from extremists about how the U.S. is the major culprit in the production of greenhouse gases in the world. What we don't hear is how U.S. technology is leading the way in helping some of the worst polluters in the world to reduce their emissions. The project discussed in the news release below is a good example of U.S. leadership in reducing pollutants into the atmosphere.

U.S. Helps Chinese Coal Mines Find Ways to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Release date: 09/16/2008

Contact Information: Suzanne Ackerman, (202) 564-4355 / ackerman.suzanne@epa.gov

(Washington, D.C. - Sept. 16, 2008) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has committed more than $1 million to assess the economic and technical feasibility of recovering and using methane from coal mines in China. If methane recovery programs are implemented at all three project sites, up to 1.8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent could be reduced each year. That's equal to the annual emissions of up to 330,000 passenger vehicles.

"Methane recovery technologies can be...(complete news release here).

A New Widget on Texas Coal Wars

You will notice a new widget in my sidebar from SnagFilms about the "Texas Coal Wars." It links to a film by Robert Redford concerning the fight in Central Texas over a number of new coal plants that had been "fast-tracked" for construction by Texas Governor Rick Perry. Normally, I would be hesitant to include this type of link on this site because on the surface, it appears to be on the opposite side of the energy issue from that which I normally occupy. I think, however, that this particular film is very informative about the need for environmental responsibility in our energy development and how communities can work together to achieve a positive response that reaches toward the goal of responsible development that considers the environment as well as jobs and tax bases.

Below are some links that might be of interest (especially after viewing the film):

http://www.greendallas.net/pdfs/TCACC_EPA_Award_050808.pdf

http://www.pollutiononline.com/article.mvc/Texas-Clean-Air-Cities-Coalition-And-0002?atc~c=771+s=773+r=001+l=a&VNETCOOKIE=NO

http://www.thefeedstock.com/2006/09/texas_cities_form_coalition_to.php

http://www.susmangodfrey.com/news/2006-08-ClearAir.html

http://www.txu.com/about/

http://cbs11tv.com/entertainment/Laura.Miller.Movie.2.627518.html

New Funds Available for Clean Coal Technology

Until coal is replaced as a primary fuel for electrical generation, it will be critically important to implement better technologies for limiting pollutants into the atmosphere.

DOE Seeks Applications for Third Round of Clean Coal Power Initiative Funding Opportunity

Announcement Solicits Applications for Carbon Capture and Sequestration

WASHINGTON, DC –The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today issued the final Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for Round 3 of the Clean Coal Power Initiative (CCPI) which seeks to accelerate the commercial deployment of advanced coal technologies to help supply the United States with clean, abundant, and affordable energy. DOE anticipates...(complete article here).

Texas RRC Chairman Williams on Coal

Texas Railroad Commission Chairman, Michael Williams, has some interesting thoughts on the use of coal for electrical generation in Texas.

Energy Solutions Part II – Clean Coal

Petroleum Addiction

I guess it is too much to hope for new technology to replace oil and ethanol....

U.S. still hooked on oil in 2030, but renewables rise

Tom Doggett

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States will still rely on oil, natural gas and coal for its main energy supplies through 2030, but ethanol and other renewable energy sources will double during the period, the government's top energy forecasting agency said on Wednesday.

"The higher level of renewable energy consumption is partially a result of higher energy prices...but it also reflects a revised presentation of state renewable portfolio standards," the Energy Information Administration said in its annual long-term forecast.

U.S. ethanol consumption is...(complete article here).