Obama creates clean-coal task force

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WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Washington will develop a comprehensive strategy to speed development of carbon capture and storage technology for the coal industry, the U.S. president said.

U.S. President Barack Obama announced the creation of an Interagency Task Force on Carbon Capture and Storage to help advance a federal strategy for so-called clean-coal technology.

Washington said CCS will position the United States as a leader in what it describes as a global clean-energy race.

Burning coal accounts for 40 percent of global greenhouse emissions, though American workers have looked to the sector for high-paying jobs.

Obama's task force has 180 days to develop a memorandum to outline a plan to bring as many as 10 commercial CCS demonstration projects online by 2016, the White House said.

The White House called on various energy and environmental departments to examine the geological capacity to store emissions underground, the potential impact on the environment and the technology needed to push CCS forward.

"Charting a path toward clean coal is essential to achieving my administration's goals of providing clean energy, supporting American jobs, and reducing emissions of carbon pollution," the president said.