FutureCoalFuels.org Update
December 11, 2008
In this update:
· Ohio CTL project receives critical air, water permits
· New Kentucky energy plan calls for CTL plants
· World CTL 2009 conference set for Washington, D.C.
· Become a CTL grassroots supporter
· Stay up-to-date on the latest news reports spotlighting CTL
Ohio CTL project receives critical air, water
permits
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency on Nov. 21 issued a final air permit
to the Ohio River Clean Fuels project. The permit is the third and final
state environmental permit necessary for Baard Energy to proceed into final
design and construction of a proposed 53,000 barrel per day coal/biomass to
liquids plant at the Columbiana County Port Authority site in Wellsville, Ohio.
Also on Nov. 21, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers issued the only federal permit, a section 404 Clean Water Act streams and wetlands permit, required for the project.
“Securing the various air, wastewater and streams/wetlands permits for this plant was necessary for us to confidently advance into the final engineering design and construction phase of the Ohio River Clean Fuels plant,” said Baard Energy CEO John Baardson in a Nov. 21 press release.
“This is the first plant of this kind in Ohio as well as in the nation and there were many questions that had to be addressed,” said Baardson. “With these permits, we can now complete the initial financing to finish the engineering and proceed with construction.”
“Even at
today’s oil prices, we can make a fuel that has a lower carbon footprint
than petroleum-based fuels and still compete with foreign oil,” added
Baardson. “Having our permit proves to interested investors and the
community that Ohio is ready to take the next steps.”
More information is available here.
New
Kentucky energy plan calls for CTL plants
Kentucky Gov. Steven
Beshear (D) last month unveiled the state’s first-ever comprehensive
energy plan that aims to spur job creation, boost in-state energy production
and achieve important environmental improvement goals. The plan centers
on seven specific strategies, one of which envisions the state becoming a
leader in coal-to-liquid (CTL) fuel production.
The fourth
strategy outlined in the governor’s plan calls for the state to
“develop a CTL industry that will use 50 million tons of coal per year to
produce 4 billion gallons of liquid fuel per year by 2025.” That
goal is part of a broader Kentucky effort to reduce the state’s
dependency on imported oil by 60 percent through a combination of increased
alternative fuel use.
“With its vast coal resources, proven support from elected officials, and
dedicated research and
development program, Kentucky is uniquely positioned to develop a coal-to-liquid fuels industry
that can serve as an engine for economic growth, while helping to reduce our dependence on
foreign
oil,” Beshear said in a summary of the plan.
“The direct impact on Kentucky’s economy of a strong CTL program
will be substantial,” the summary said. “Estimates of
construction jobs, permanent jobs and projected tax revenues indicate that a
plan as aggressive as the one proposed for Kentucky would provide a huge
economic stimulus.”
The plan outlined a number of steps the state government could take to support
the development of a CTL industry, including: state guarantees for the purchase
of some or all of the off-take from a facility, with or without a price floor
to help ensure profitability of the plant; providing cost-control of the
facility’s raw material through long-term guaranteed contracts with
suppliers; guarantees regarding timing of the permitting process; and a series
of investment tax credits.
The summary argues that a “a strong CTL fuels industry would benefit the
United States as a new industry in and of itself, but more importantly, would
provide a dependable supply of liquid fuels at a predictable price and thus
help make U.S. manufacturing more competitive.”
A summary of Gov. Beshear’s plan is available here.
World CTL 2009 conference set for Washington, D.C.
Leading public and private sector representatives
from the U.S. and around the world will gather in Washington, D.C., next March
for the World CTL 2009 Conference. The March 25-27 conference will focus
on a range of topics, including energy security, environmental performance,
technological developments and project updates.
The conference is endorsed by
the World Coal Institute, World Energy Council and the World Petroleum Council.
The conference will begin on March 25 with two parallel workshops focused on
practical issues surrounding project development, with two days of plenary
sessions following on March 26-27. The plenary sessions will feature
presentations and discussions from leading coal, oil and technology
leaders. Peabody Energy Chairman and CEO Greg Boyce, West Virginia Gov.
Joe Manchin (D) and Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal (D) are among the
distinguished roster of presenters for the plenary sessions.
More information on the conference is available here.
Become a CTL grassroots supporter
The Coal-to-Liquids Coalition is working to build a strong network of grassroots supporters willing to contact federal and state lawmakers to voice their support for measures meant to spur the domestic production of affordable, clean-burning CTL fuels. CTL grassroots supporters can include company employees, union members, retirees, their families, friends and others spread across the country who share a personal stake in the successful launch of a domestic CTL industry.
A robust CTL grassroots network can be an invaluable tool in helping to increase the bipartisan support for legislation designed to jumpstart the production of ultra-clean CTL fuels.
To become a grassroots supporter visit: http://capwiz.com/futurecoalfuels/home/.
Stay up-to-date on the latest news reports spotlighting CTL
Through its web site, www.futurecoalfuels.org,
the Coal-to-Liquids Coalition collects news stories from across the country
that feature the latest information on how coal-to-liquid fuels will help
reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil and yield important
environmental benefits. For access to recent CTL news items, please
visit: http://www.futurecoalfuels.org/news.asp.
As CTL fuel developments transpire, be sure to regularly visit FutureCoalFuels.org for the latest news and information and learn how you can help strengthen America’s energy future.
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