News

NRG Energy to Build Carbon Capture-Ready IGCC in New York (12/20/06)

NRG Energy, Inc. has received a conditional award of a contract from the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to build a 680 net megawatt IGCC plant at its Huntley facility in Tonawanda, New York. The project, scheduled to go into commercial operation in 2013, can be designed to capture and sequester carbon dioxide. NRG and NYPA are establishing a strategic alliance to pursue tax credits or other federal and/or state funding sources to fund the approximately $1.5 billion project. Read NRG's press release and the NYPA Memorandum for more information.

Construction Begins on Synthesis Energy Systems' First China Gasification Facility (12/5/06)

Synthesis Energy Systems held an official groundbreaking ceremony in Shandong, China, for its new coal gasification facility. The facility will use the company's proprietary U-GAS licensed technology to gasify approximately 200,000 tons of waste coal to produce primarily methanol. See the following press release for more information, or visit SES's website.

$1 Billion in EPACT Tax Credit Awarded to Nine Projects (11/30/06)

The U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Department of Treasury have announced the award of $1.0 billion in investment tax credits for "advanced coal" and gasification based projects under provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

Nine projects, seven gasification-based and two combustion-based, received the credits. The gasification projects are: Duke Energy, Edwardsport, IN (IGCC); Tampa Electric, Polk County, FL (IGCC); Mississippi Power, Kemper County, MS (IGCC); Carson Hydrogen Power LLC, Carson, CA (hydrogen/electricity); and TX Energy LLC, Longview, TX (syngas for chemicals). Two gasification based projects awarded tax credits were not identified at their request.

An additional $650 million authorized by EPACT will be available in 2007. The DOE press release provides details.

Eastman Announces Coal Gasification Expansion Plans (11/27/06)

In a move to reduce its raw materials costs Eastman Chemical Company will expand its production of chemicals via gasification to at least two plants in addition to its current facility at Kingsport, TN. Eastman Chairman and CEO Brian Ferguson announced last week that its existing Longview, TX plant would be one site for coal gasification expansion. A second, unannounced site, likely on the Gulf Coast using pet coke according to press accounts, is also being planned. Both sites would also polygenerate electricity, hydrogen or ammonia for third party sales. The goal is to have both projects on line in 2011. (See attached Eastman press release or go to its web site for additional details.)

Indiana SNG Plant Announced (10/30/06)

Indiana Gasification LLC has announced plans to construct a 40 billion cubic feet per year substitute natural gas (SNG) plant in southwest Indiana. The plant would use 3 million tons of coal per year and use GE gasification technology. The reported output would put the plant at a scale just 15% smaller than the only other SNG plant in the U.S., the Great Plains Coal Gasification Plant built in Beulah ND in 1984. Plans call for construction to begin in 2008 with startup in 2011. The attached press release provides additional information.

Papers from the 2006 Gasification Technologies Conference are Available (10/12/06)

The papers and presentations from the 2006 Gasification Technologies Conference, which was held from October 1-4 in Washington, DC, are available to download in the Annual Conference Papers section.

URS-ERC Gasification Services Formed (9/27/06)

URS Corporation (URS) and Energy Resources Consultancy International LLC (ERC) are pleased to announce a new alliance, URS-ERC Gasification Services. The range of services of the new organization is outlined in the attached press release .

EPACT Gasification Investment Tax Credits "Oversubscribed" (8/23/06)

The U.S. Department of Energy has announced receipt of forty-nine applications for investment tax credits authorized by Section 1307 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Forty-five of the projects applying for the credits are gasification-based.

EPACT authorized $1.15 billion in tax credits for gasification-based projects. The 45 gasification projects have requested almost $4.6 billion in tax credits and represent $52.2 billion in potential capital investment. The DOE press release and summary table characterizing the applications are attached.

The DOE will evaluate the projects for feasibility and consistency with energy policy goals and forward recommendations to the Internal Revenue Service which will then select projects for receipt of tax credits. The IRS expects to make final selections by November 30.

View the DOE's press release and a summary table for more information.

BP and GE Announce Joint Development and Deployment of Gasification Based Hydrogen Power Projects (7/27/06)

BP and GE have announced their intention to jointly develop and deploy gasification-based hydrogen power projects to reduce emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide from electricity generation. As a first step, BP and GE would jointly participate in the two hydrogen power projects with carbon capture and sequestration BP has announced. One, the Carson, CA, project is addressed in an earlier news item and will be the subject of a presentation at the 2006 Gasification Technologies Conference. For more information see the attached joint press release.

CEO Keynote Session to Lead Off 2006 Gasification Technologies Conference (7/27/06)

The 2006 Gasification Technologies Conference (October 1-4 in Washington, DC) will lead off with a high-powered CEO keynote session. Featured speakers will include:

• Gregory H. Boyce, President & CEO, Peabody Energy
• Pat Davies, CEO, Sasol Ltd.
• John D. Hofmeister, President, Country Chair, Shell Oil Company
• Honorable Rick Perry, Governor, State of Texas
• Randy H. Zwirn, President & CEO, Siemens Power Generation, Inc.

Nuon Plans to Build Second IGCC (7/21/06)

Dutch utility company Nuon has chosen Eemshaven in the Dutch province of Groningen as the location for its new 1200-MW coal gasification power plant, the second such plant under Nuon ownership. Nuon has also obtained from Royal Dutch Shell plc the licence to use that company's coal gasification technology. See the attached press release and brochure for more information.

Wyoming Seeks Coal Gasification Partnership (7/19/06)

The Wyoming Infrastructure Authority (WIA) announced that it is formally soliciting proposals for a demonstration of electricity production through coal gasification. The WIA is seeking to establish a public-private partnership to convert Wyoming coal to electricity using integrated coal gasification combined cycle (IGCC) technology. The state instrumentality also has its eye on qualifying for federal financial support under a provision of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Visit the WIA's website for the full article and to download the RFP.

Parties interested in submitting a response to this RFP must submit an Expression of Interest by August 17, and then follow through with a detailed proposal to WIA by October 17, 2006.

U.S. EPA Issues IGCC/Pulverized Coal Environmental Footprints and Cost Comparison (7/10/06)

The report is the first comprehensive effort by the EPA to compare the performance of pulverized coal (PC) and IGCC plants. It found that IGCC emissions are less than for PC plants for all air pollutants, that IGCC plants generate less solid waste, and result in lower water use. It also found that, while IGCC capital costs are higher, operating costs for IGCC plants are lower. Finally, if CO2 capture and sequestration are required, the IGCC plant can do this at significantly lower costs than a PC plant.The report can be found in the GTC Library.

GTC Submits Comments on Wisconsin PSC IGCC Draft Report (7/7/06)

View or download the draft report and the GTC comments.

NRG Announces Comprehensive Repowering Initiative (6/21/06)

NRG Energy, Inc. announced plans to develop approximately 10,500 megawatts of new generation capacity over the next decade to help meet the energy needs of its high-demand, capacity-constrained markets and to support NRG's continued growth. This repowering initiative, which will be funded with the support of partners and project finance debt, would represent a total investment of $16 billion. Read the attached press release for more information. Follow the "IGCC" bookmark in the article to read the sections on the IGCC plants.

Rentech, Inc. Signs Agreement with Kiewit Energy Company for FEED Phase for Commercial Coal-to-Liquids Plant (6/12/06)

Rentech, Inc. has entered a Professional Services Agreement with Kiewit Energy Company, a subsidiary of Kiewit Corporation. WorleyParsons, under contract to Kiewit, will lead the Front End Engineering and Design (FEED). FEED services will include the planned coal gasification conversion of Rentech's natural gas fed ammonia fertilizer facility in East Dubuque, IL, and the production of ultra-clean fuels based on Rentech's patented and proprietary Fischer-Tropsch coal-to-liquids technology. See the attached press release for more information.

Siemens Power Generation Group Acquires GSP Gasification Process (5/16/06)

The Siemens Power Generation Group (SPGG) has acquired the GSP gasification technology and engineering activities from Sustec Group. This acquisition includes the German firm Future Energy GmbH as well as a 50 percent stake in the Chinese joint venture with the Shenhua Ningxia Coal Group. An SPGG press release contains additional details.

Gasification Workshop for State Government Personnel Slated for June 28-29 (5/12/06)

The Gasification Technologies Council is hosting a workshop for State government personnel on June 28-29, 2006 in Bismarck, ND. Download the latest program for more information on speakers and topics. The purpose of the workshop is to provide timely, credible information to State government employees with an interest in learning more about gasification and its downstream applications.

The meeting will include a visit to the Great Plains Coal Gasification Plant in Beulah, N.D. which produces pipeline gas and a variety of fuels and chemicals. It also captures CO2 and ships it by pipeline to Canada for enhanced oil recovery.

Persons eligible to attend include: state legislators and staff; public utility commissioners and commission staff; environmental agency personnel involved in the permitting and regulation of gasification-based facilities; state economic/energy development agency personnel and others who may be involved in policy or regulatory decisions affecting gasification-based facilities.

There is no registration fee for the workshop and the Council will reimburse travel, hotel and meal expenses for state government employees who attend.

Organizations participating with the Council in the workshop are the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and the Southern States Energy Board.

Eligible persons interested in attending the workshop should complete and fax back a registration form. Attached is the latest program and a reimbursement form for state government employees. The Best Western offers offers a complimentary shuttle service to the Bismarck Municipal Airport. Call the hotel at 701-258-7700 once you arrive if a shuttle is not present. Driving directions can be found here.

Twelve Sites Proposed for FutureGen Plant (5/9/06)

Twelve sites in seven states were named today as candidates to host the $1 billion FutureGen power plant. The 12 sites were submitted in response to a public Request for Proposals issued by the FutureGen Alliance , a group of coal companies and electric utilities partnering with the U.S. Department of Energy to design and build the plant. See the attached press release for more information.

Department of Energy Releases Tax Credit Certification Q&A (5/5/06)

The U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory, in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service, has created a site to solicit questions regarding tax credit certification for advanced coal and gasification projects consistent with the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Please visit the NETL site for more information.

Coal to Liquids and Chemicals Forum, China 2006 (4/28/06)

Preliminary information and registration for the 2006 Coal to Liquids and Chemicals Forum in Shanghai, China, is available online. Topics to be discussed include the trends of oil products supply in China; the outlook for Coal reserves, exploration, and prices in China; the studies of CTL, MTO and MTP from economics to technologies; the latest in Coal gasification, liquefaction, to synfuels and chemicals; experience sharing from China’s CTL investors; and the outlook for CTL and Advanced Chemicals industry in China. View the attached press release for more information.

PUCO Grants AEP Cost Recovery for Phase One IGCC Facility Costs (4/10/06)

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio granted American Electric Power’s request to recover pre-construction costs estimated to be $23.7 million associated with the construction and operation of an integrated gasification combined cycle electric generating facility. See the linked press release for more information.

Guidance for EPACT Gasification Tax Credits Issued (2/24/06)

The Treasury Department and the IRS have issued guidance for two tax credits created by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 - the advanced coal project credit and the gasification project credit. Each credit will be allocated by the IRS among applicants certified by the Department of Energy (DOE). The guidance documents explain how to apply to the IRS for a share of the credit and how to apply to DOE to obtain the required certification. See the linked announcement and guidance for Section 48A and Section 48B credits.

DOE, Southern Company Sign Agreement on Florida IGCC (2/22/06)

The U.S. Department of Energy and Southern Company signed a cooperative agreement for a 285-megawatt IGCC power plant at the Orlando Utilities Commission's Stanton Enegy Center. See the DOE's website for more details.

BP, Edison Mission Plan Hydrogen Power Project (2/10/06)

BP and Edison Mission Group announced that they are planning a new $1 billion petcoke gasification plant to generate power from hydrogen in California. The plant will also sequester CO ₂ for enhanced oil recovery. Visit BP's website for more details.

Fossil Energy 2007 Budget Request Announced (2/6/06)

The Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy announced a request of $649 million for its FY 2007 budget. The budget allocates $281 million for the President's Coal Research Initiative, which includes $54 million for FutureGen and $74 million for carbon sequestration. Read more at the DOE's website.

Jarrett Sworn in as DOE Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy (1/3/06)

Jeffrey D. Jarrett has been sworn in as the 10th Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy. Mr. Jarrett most recently was Director of the Office of Surface Mining within the Department of Interior. For more details go to the DOE Office of Fossil Energy web site. Top of the page