A Department of Energy (DOE) official told a House committee on Tuesday the widespread use of carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technologies at coal-fired power plants would increase energy prices 70-80%. Via Bloomberg, DOE Deputy Assistant Secretary for Clean Coal Julio Friedmann said during a hearing that while current CCS technologies cost $70-90 per ton of carbon captured, that price can be reduced by more than half when a new generation of technologies is rolled out. Friedmann also acknowledged, however, that energy producers would not invest in CCS without a mandate from the federal government. The Obama Administration is in the process of implementing rules for new power plants that would require the use of CCS technologies.
Last month Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.) introduced in the House a bill that would prevent the EPA from requiring CCS until it has been successfully demonstrated at commercial-scale pilot plants. The bill has support from lawmakers in both parties as well as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
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