Duke Energy Approved to build two near zero emissions coal plants

Duke Energy has gained approval to build two coal-fueled power plants that will incorporate advanced clean coal technologies to drastically reduce emissions. One plant will be built in Cliffside Stream, North Carolina, the other in Edwardsport, Indiana.

The Edwardsport station will be the first power plant in the country to demonstrate carbon capture and storage, an exciting prospect considering recent criticism of the practicality of such technology. The plant will use integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) technology to convert coal into a synthetic gas which is processed to further reduce emissions of sulfur, mercury and particulate matter. Once the new plants come online Duke plans to close its old stations at both locations.

Americans for Balanced Energy Choices (ABEC) supports the projects. Executive director Joe Lucas believes the construction of the plants is a "significant step forward in the development and deployment of advanced clean coal technologies."

Coal is the most abundant and affordable energy source in the country so replacing old plants with new, clean coal plants makes sense and will significantly reduce overall air emissions. Hopefully the new technology will not significantly increase the price of energy.

[via Next Energy News]