“The National Research Council’s report, America’s Energy Future: Technology and Transformation, makes a compelling case for why America needs to keep moving forward on technologies such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) for coal to meet the nation’s energy demands and environmental objectives.  The report projects that by 2035, coal-based electricity generation plants with CCS could replace the current coal fleet with nearly pollution-free power through a combination of new facilities and retrofitting and repowering of existing plants. The report also says coal-to-liquid fuels with CCS could replace about 15-20% of current fuel consumption in the transportation sector and points to the need for a legal framework to support deployment of carbon storage technologies.”

The above statement was issued today by National Mining Association (NMA) President & CEO Hal Quinn. He continued:  “Underlining the relative price stability and domestic abundance of coal, the NRC notes that, ‘it is not clear whether adequate supplies of natural gas will be available at competitive prices to support substantially increased levels of electricity generation, and such expansion could expose the United States to greater import reliance.’

“The report outlines the need for a balanced portfolio of near and long-term initiatives that, in addition to coal and CCS, also includes increased energy efficiency, updated transmissions systems, evolutionary nuclear plants and new renewable supply technologies as important components of an overall approach that, ‘must be supported by appropriate public policies and regulations governing energy production, distribution, and use.’

“This report, which is part of a five-series effort, sought to ‘help resolve conflicting analyses and to facilitate the charting of a new direction in the nation’s energy enterprise.’  While NMA continues to review many of the report’s findings and recommendations, much of the report is consistent with our understanding of costs, technological hurdles and aggressive timeframes associated with the widespread deployment of needed technologies.  The policy challenges are equally daunting.  The NRC has provided a valuable service to all those committed to serving America’s energy interests.”

Copies of the summary edition of America’s Energy Future:  Technology and Transformation are available from the National Academies Press.