National Mining Association (NMA) President and CEO Hal Quinn released the following statement in support of the “Carbon Capture and Sequestration Act of 2010” introduced by Senators Jay Rockefeller (West Virginia) and George Voinovich (Ohio). The measure would help the private sector accelerate development and early deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology in the US by providing a wires charge-funded $20 billion over 10 years, expanding the Department of Energy’s loan program and establishing a regulatory framework to monitor and govern geological storage of CO2.

“With the world’s largest reserves of secure domestic coal meeting half the nation’s electricity needs, the US has a strategic interest in developing advanced clean coal technology. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology will enable US power plants to not only neutralize carbon emissions from coal combustion but also to continue providing American households and industries with affordable electric power and high wage employment from coal production.

“Senators Rockefeller and Voinovich have taken an important leadership role in providing the necessary financial incentives and a much-needed regulatory framework to facilitate the development and early deployment of this vital technology. The bill not only provides a pathway for continued energy independence in meeting our electricity needs, it also will create much-needed jobs across America. The National Mining Association looks forward to working with Sens. Rockefeller and Voinovich on this important legislation.”

The text of the bill may be found here: Carbon Capture and Sequestration Act of 2010