Energy Policy
Semester
Recognizing the rapid rise of US energy consumption, the group chose to focus on the Clean Coal Power Initiative (CCPI), which is part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Overseen by the US Department of Energy, the CCPI is a grant program which focuses on coal gasification, which will allow for easy separation of contaminants. Although coal will be important to the future of the US energy supply, the chemicals emitted have various negative effects on the environment. Sulfur dioxide causes acid rain, nitrogen oxides cause smog and carbon dioxide causes climate change (global warming). The CCPI offers Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) and hydrogen fuel cells, emphasizing technical and environmental improvements over existing technology, as alternatives to existing coal power plant technology. The goal of this project is to develop a reliable, clean coal industry, involving environmental groups, people in industry and government agencies by creating grants to fund clean coal projects. By the end of the first year, the students developed the goal to fund one IGCC facility, meet emission targets for mercury, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, as well as thermal efficiency targets, and report to Congress with updates and data. The goal for 2014 is to disburse all grant money, complete three IGCC plants and two fuel cell plants, and meet environmental and efficiency targets for the aforementioned chemicals. The group recognizes that coal will be a lasting source of energy and the challenges that come with it, carbon dioxide and acquiring it through mining, will also remain, so their plan is to promote clean coal technologies that are environmentally responsible.