News

2005 news releases

CLERMONT COUNTY IDENTIFIED AS POTENTIAL SITE
FOR NEAR $1 BILLION FUTUREGEN PROJECT

Ohio FutureGen Task Force Met with Clermont County Officials to Discuss
Near-Zero Emissions Power Plant

Columbus, OH – The Ohio Air Quality Development Authority (OAQDA) is leading a state-wide Task Force in an effort to secure an almost $1 billion federally-supported research and development-based power plant for Ohio. FutureGen will be the world’s first coal-based power plant that produces electricity and hydrogen with near-zero emissions.

After conducting an initial analysis of sites throughout Ohio, the Task Force has identified Clermont County as one of a small number of potential Ohio locations because it appears to possess the necessary geological formations and infrastructure, proximity to transmission lines and transportation, and land availability. In addition, its proximity to world-class academia offers access to the necessary research and development infrastructure. Because coal is transported through rail and water, southwest Ohio is viewed as a coal portal. These reasons, combined with the University of Cincinnati’s experience with conducting coal research with OAQDA, make Clermont County a viable option.

Representatives of the Ohio FutureGen Task Force recently met with several local community leaders to brief them on the goals of the proposed FutureGen plant, as proposed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Competition for the project is expected to be stiff, as there are approximately 20 states that have expressed interest to date in this project.

Once operational, the plant will be the cleanest fossil fuel power plant in the world, establishing the prototype for advanced coal-based generation in 2020 and beyond. The project will be supported by the U.S. DOE in conjunction with a private-sector consortium called the FutureGen Alliance. The Alliance is composed of some of the nation’s larger electric utilities and coal companies, which will be contributing approximately 25 percent of the project funding. Ohio entities include American Electric Power and Cinergy. The Alliance has retained Columbus-based Battelle to coordinate the effort.

“The clean and environmentally responsible utilization of our nation’s lowest cost and most abundant domestic energy resource – coal – makes the FutureGen research platform critical to our nation’s future energy security,” said Mark R. Shanahan, Executive Director of OAQDA. “If selected by U.S. DOE and its Alliance, Clermont County will reap economic benefits from the influx of world-class researchers and industry officials who will tap local supplies, housing and services while living and working in the area. It also could lead to additional economic development opportunities.”

Continued Shanahan, “For Ohio, it taps the full potential of coal – an abundant state resource that powers almost 90 percent of Ohio’s electricity. It also positions Ohio as a leader in our nation’s future energy production.”

The FutureGen initiative will be designed as a “living lab” that produces electricity and hydrogen from coal. It also will utilize innovative carbon separation and sequestration technologies, which will set it apart from other electric power plants. These technologies will capture the carbon dioxide that is produced when coal is gasified and inject it deep underground to safely isolate and store harmful greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

The FutureGen plant offers many environmental benefits. To begin with, it will decrease the common air pollutants – including mercury – typically emitted from power plants and convert some of them to useable byproducts such as fertilizers and soil enhancers. It will pioneer technologies that efficiently and cost-effectively capture and sequester carbon dioxide deep underground. It also will produce hydrogen, which can be used to power gas turbines or fuel cells to generate clean electricity.

The Ohio FutureGen Task Force is preparing to respond to the U.S. DOE’s anticipated solicitation for potential project sites. After undergoing a multi-year decision-making process, the U.S. DOE, in partnership with a private-sector consortium, will determine potential sites, which will be honed as more project details are fleshed out. The research project will require 10 years to complete – five to design, permit and build the plant and five to conduct operational research. After year 10, it is anticipated to operate as a commercial power generator.

About the Ohio FutureGen Task Force

The Ohio FutureGen Task Force includes representatives from OAQDA and its Ohio Coal Development Office (OCDO), the Ohio Public Utilities Commission (PUCO), Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA), Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Ohio Department of Development (ODOD), Governor’s Office of Appalachia, Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC), Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC), Ohio Coal Association (OCA) and a representative from the Governor’s Office. JoAnn Davidson, former speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, is its facilitator.

About the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority

The Ohio Air Quality Development Authority is a non-regulatory government agency created to help Ohio businesses comply with clean air regulations. Since its creation in 1970, the Authority has provided technical and financial help to hundreds of large and small businesses in Ohio, awarding more than $4 billion in bonds to finance air quality projects. As part of its role, OAQDA also assists small businesses by providing grants to help defray financing costs. OAQDA is also the home of the Ohio Coal Development Office, one of the nation’s largest state-funded clean coal technology research, development and deployment programs. For further information, call 1-800-225-5051 or visit the OAQDA Web site at www.ohioairquality.org.

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