State options for low-carbon coal policy

Miscellaneous · Fri Feb 15 00:00:00 EST 2008

OSTI ID:21084862

Cowart, Richard; Vale, Shanna; Bushinsky, Joshua; Hogan, Pat

There is growing state-level interest in the USA in accelerating the development of low-carbon coal technologies, including carbon capture and storage (CCS). Many states have adopted greenhouse gas emission targets and made commitments to low-carbon energy, and believe that these polices will result in job creation, air quality improvements, and reliable low-cost energy supplies. This paper provides an overview of options for states to encourage the deployment of carbon capture and sequestration. It describes actions (including legislation, regulations, and incentives) throughout the country. It also reviews in greater detail the range of policies available to state Public Utility Commissions for advancing deployment of CCS. Many states are adopting meaningful incentives for integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plants, and, as a handful of states are beginning to demonstrate, a number of these incentives can apply to CCS as well. States also have a number of authorities relevant to advancement of clean coal power, particularly within the domain of state public utility commissions (PUCs). State commissions have a wide array of policy options available to them in pursuing this goal, and will play a crucial role in determining the speed and effectiveness with which such technologies are deployed. States also enjoy major advantages, such as their direct jurisdiction over many critical power plant issues (including siting and retail ratemaking) that federal agencies do not possess. Regardless of the final form of federal greenhouse gas rules, states have the chance to gain experience as first movers and policy innovators, and will play an important role in shaping a low-carbon future. Although national policy is essential, a proactive approach by state policymakers and regulators to drive CCS can reduce future compliance costs, speed the required technological developments, and pave the way for future national policy.

• Research Organization: Pew Center on Global Climate Change, Arlington, VA (United States)
• OSTI ID: 21084862
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
COAL
CARBON DIOXIDE
CAPTURE
UNDERGROUND STORAGE
USA
REGULATIONS
LEGISLATION
IMPLEMENTATION
COAL GASIFICATION
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
COMBINED-CYCLE POWER PLANTS
PUBLIC UTILITIES
STATE GOVERNMENT
LEAKS
ENERGY POLICY
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
POWER GENERATION
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
DEMONSTRATION PLANTS
EMISSIONS TRADING
TRANSPORT
PIPELINES
COST
FINANCING
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
REGIONAL ANALYSIS