Feds to fund two CO2 projects

U.S. Energy Department Secretary Steven Chu says two power plants will receive $408 million to use advanced technologies to cut carbon dioxide emissions.

The Basin Electric Power Cooperative will receive $100 million for an existing power plant in Beulah, N.D., and Hydrogen Energy International LLC will receive $308 million for a new facility in Kern County, Calif. The funding for both projects will come from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Today’s announcement represents a major step forward in the fight to reduce CO2 emissions from coal-based power plants, Chu said Wednesday. These new technologies will not only help fight climate change, they will also create new jobs and position the United States as a leader in carbon capture and storage technologies for many years.

Officials said the selected proposals will employ different technological concepts to achieve at least 90 percent carbon dioxide capture efficiency.