Sen. Joe Pittman (R-Armstrong/Butler/Indiana/Westmoreland Counties) sent a letter to Gov. Tom Wolf on Feb. 12 urging him to support Pennsylvania coal plants in seeking recently announced federal carbon capture technology (CCT) research and development (R&D) grants.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced on Feb. 7 the availability of $64 million in funding for cost-shared R&D projects under the funding opportunity announcement (FOA), Critical Components for Coal FIRST Power Plants of the Future. The FOA is part of the Coal FIRST (Flexible, Innovative, Resilient, Small, Transformative) initiative.
“As you know, our Commonwealth remains a rich source of coal resources and coal-fired electric generation,” Pittman wrote in the letter. “The continued, responsible use of this God-given natural resource remains extremely critical to providing family sustaining jobs to the constituents I represent. Our Commonwealth should explore all avenues relating to CCT so we can use our resources efficiently while evolving into new technologies that ensure we limit carbon emissions when possible.”
U.S. Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette said in a press release announcing the grant program that the program aims to develop the next generation of coal plants that would enable the use of this “valuable natural resource in an environmentally responsible manner.”
Pittman said in the letter that Pennsylvania should explore opportunities related to CCT and urged the Wolf administration to “take seriously the potential of CCT and recognize its capacity to ensure Pennsylvania remains a net exporter of electricity.”
“Together, we can champion opportunities available to invest in innovation that will lead to the construction of the next generation of coal-generated power plants around the communities in which current facilities are located,” Pittman wrote. “We can meet your oft-stated desire of reducing carbon emissions from electric generation while preserving economic opportunities in rural Pennsylvania. It is my sincere hope your administration will take seriously the potential of CCT and recognize its capacity to ensure Pennsylvania remains a net exporter of electricity.”