In America “Reinvigorating American Energy Infrastructure Act,” introduced by Sen. Todd Young (R-Indiana) on November 19, proposes to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005. This newly introduced Senate bill aims to make federal loan guarantees available for new high-efficiency, low-emissions (HELE) coal power plants in the country. Although it spearheads considerable research and development initiatives to advance coal technology, the US pipeline of coal builds remains virtually vacant, and it now lags painfully behind Asia and Europe in demonstration and utilisation of new coal technology, the American Coal Council reports.

The bill aims to make units larger than 350 MW and modular units smaller than 350 MW eligible for federal loan guarantees. Eligible large HELE units should use at least 65% of their annual net energy output to generate power and derive at least 65% of their annual heat input from coal or one or more coal-derived fuels. Small-scale HELE units that are eligible under the bill should employ a modular design that maximizes “the benefits of high-quality low-cost shop fabrication to minimize construction costs and project cycle time.” These units must also have a load-following capability down to 25% of maximum continuous rating and be capable of achieving high ramp rates of at least 4% of the maximum continuous rating per minute of the unit.

The bill also stipulates that all eligible HELE units must be designed to achieve an efficiency of at least 40%, be capable of accommodating carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology in the future, and minimize water consumption.