Carbon Capture and Storage

Coal is one of the most abundant U.S. sources of energy. One-quarter of the world’s coal reserves are located within U.S. borders, and coal provides nearly half the electricity Americans use. Although the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) forecasts that coal will continue to dominate U.S. power generation for many decades, coal-fired power plants produce most of the electric power sector’s greenhouse gas emissions (CO2). Carbon capture and storage (CCS)—the process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide in geologic formations—could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from coal plants, thereby addressing pollution concerns and making coal generation a more viable choice for investors and utilities.    

CO2 Capture, Transportation and Storage. CCS begins with separating and capturing CO2 from power plant flue gas. The three different technologies allow CO2 to be captured before, during or after coal is burned. Although some technologies offer more advantages, all three are costly and require large amounts of energy. A DOE National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) analysis shows potential for future costs to decrease between 30 percent and 45 percent, however. Because current technologies are expensive, many states provide financial incentives for CCS.