Governor Beshear highlights Kentucky’s energy strengths to DOE

FRANKFORT, KY – The commonwealth of Kentucky has submitted its response to the United States Department of Energy’s Request for Information on the restructured FutureGen initiative. On Jan. 31, 2008, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced a restructured approach that aims to demonstrate advanced carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology at multiple commercial-scale Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) clean coal power plants throughout the country.

In response to the DOE’s January announcement, Gov. Beshear directed the Governor’s Office of Energy Policy (GOEP) and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development to collaboratively solicit interest from public and private businesses and organizations to assist in responding to the federal Request for Information (RFI). The document submitted to the DOE today reflects the input from those who responded to state’s solicitation of interest.

Gov. Beshear highlighted the numerous benefits the commonwealth has to offer the DOE in its quest to commercialize carbon capture and sequestration technology. These benefits include the state’s abundant energy resources, its unique intersection of grids, pipelines, river systems, railroads, and highways, the expertise of energy research institutions within the state, and a commitment on the part of policymakers and administration officials to effectively compete for the high-wage jobs resulting from the development of environmentally responsible energy solutions.

As a next step in its restructured FutureGen initiative, the DOE intends to issue an announcement regarding funding opportunities to provide federal funding for carbon capture and storage technology.   In its response, Kentucky encourages the DOE to expand the scope of eligible projects to include coal gasification projects that convert coal to liquid fuels, substitute natural gas, and chemicals.

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