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Senate Hearing on DOE R&D Priorities
Friday, January 22, 2010 |
On Thursday, January 21st the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing to receive testimony on the research, development, priorities and imperatives needed to meet the medium and long term challenges associated with climate change. Department of Energy Secretary, Steven Chu, was the sole witness before the Committee.
Although the majority of the hearing focused on nuclear permitting and waste priorities, there were various mentions of coal and carbon capture and sequestration (CCS). Several senators questioned Chu’s commitment to developing fossil energy projects, to which Chu cited his support for enhancing cleaner technologies for fossil-based projects.
Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) called on the Secretary to fund the essential research needed in order to find ways to de-carbonize coal. Secretary Chu agreed that it is possible to use coal in cleaner and more efficent ways which is why the DOE is looking into alternative "processes" to capturing and storing CO2 from coal such as improving the amine process, improving coal to ammonia, and looking to improve the gasification process; but the DOE is "also looking further down the road at things that could really upend it and replace those" technologies. In the mean time, Chu said that a signal must be sent to investors indicating that carbon emission limitations are imminent and funding will be available for cleaner technologies.
Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) stressed the importance of deploying carbon capture technologies over the next 8-10 years. Following, Chu mentioned the 7 storage demonstrations the DOE currently has underway through their Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnerships program.
Secretary Chu’s testimony before the Committee is attached below with further information.
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