Feds move on $2.4B carbon capture project

WASHINGTON, July 14 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Energy says it is moving forward toward the first commercial scale, fully integrated carbon capture and storage project in the nation.

Energy Secretary Steve Chu said his department has issued a National Environmental Policy Act Record of Decision based on careful consideration of the proposed $2.4 billion project's potential environmental impacts, as well as the program's goals and objectives. The project would be located in Mattoon, Ill.

"The carbon capture and sequestration technologies planned for this flagship facility are vitally important to America and the world," Chu said. "This step forward demonstrates the administration's commitment to developing clean energy technologies, creating jobs, and reducing emissions of greenhouse gases."

The Record of Decision and a cooperative agreement signed by Chu and the FutureGen Alliance allow the Alliance to proceed with site-specific activities for the project. During the next eight to 10 months, the Alliance will complete a preliminary design, refine its cost estimate, develop a funding plan, expand the sponsorship group and, if needed, conduct additional subsurface characterization, officials said.

Following those activities, which will be completed early next year, the Energy Department and the Alliance will decide whether to continue the project.