a:26:{s:9:"weblog_id";s:1:"4";s:8:"entry_id";s:0:"";s:6:"sticky";s:0:"";s:14:"allow_comments";s:1:"n";s:16:"allow_trackbacks";s:1:"n";s:10:"entry_date";s:19:"2009-01-15 09:15 PM";s:15:"expiration_date";s:0:"";s:23:"comment_expiration_date";s:0:"";s:8:"category";a:2:{i:0;s:1:"4";i:1;s:2:"35";}s:9:"author_id";s:1:"2";s:6:"status";s:4:"open";s:14:"trackback_urls";s:0:"";s:18:"versioning_enabled";s:1:"y";s:5:"title";s:37:"Taylorsville Coal Plant Clears Hurdle";s:9:"url_title";s:37:"taylorsville_coal_plant_clears_hurdle";s:6:"submit";s:6:"Submit";s:11:"field_id_26";s:37:"Taylorsville Coal Plant Clears Hurdle";s:11:"field_ft_26";s:4:"none";s:11:"field_id_31";s:0:"";s:11:"field_id_44";s:255:"A proposed $3.5 billion coal-fired plant in Taylorsville, IL., which proponents say could help cut greenhouse gas emissions as well as create 1,500 construction jobs and other permanent mining and power plant jobs, cleared a significant hurdle this week. ";s:11:"field_ft_44";s:4:"none";s:11:"field_id_28";s:31:"Taylorsville, coal, legislation";s:11:"field_ft_28";s:4:"none";s:11:"field_id_29";s:5625:"<p>A proposed $3.5 billion coal-fired plant in Taylorsville, IL., which proponents say could help cut greenhouse gas emissions as well as create 1,500 construction jobs and other permanent mining and power plant jobs, cleared a significant hurdle this week.&nbsp; Legislation signed by impeached Gov. Rod Blagojevich establishes a framework for the Taylorville Energy Center (TEC) and other coal-gasification projects. The project still needs final approval from the state\'s General Assembly, which will consider it after design and cost reports are completed</p>
<p>The
signing into law of SB 1987, the Clean Coal Portfolio Standard Act creates a framework for developing coal gasification projects with carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>)
capture and storage, requiring emissions from these electric generation
facilities, including Tenaska&rsquo;s proposed Taylorville Energy Center
(TEC), to be as clean as natural gas generators. Like renewable
electric generation sources, TEC reduces emissions by displacing and
reducing the operation of generation facilities that have higher
emissions. TEC has the added advantage of 24/7 operation, providing a
benefit to air quality day in and day out.<br /> <br /> In
order to qualify as a clean coal facility under this legislation, a
plant must not only capture at least 50 percent of the total CO<sub>2</sub> emissions but must also incorporate power generating equipment that
limits regulated pollutants (such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides,
carbon monoxide, particulates and mercury) from combustion of the
synthetically-produced feedstock to levels that are no higher than
combined cycle, natural gas fired plants. <br /> <br /> In
addition, the law requires electric utilities and other electric retail
suppliers in Illinois to purchase up to 5 percent of their electricity
from clean coal facilities. SB 1987 entitles one initial clean coal
facility with a final air permit to 30-year purchase agreements for the
sale of its output. TEC has a final air permit from the Illinois
Environmental Protection Agency, allowing it to become the &ldquo;initial
clean coal facility&rdquo; under the legislation. Because power from TEC will
be required continuously, it will consistently be replacing power from
higher emitting generators and providing significant reductions in
greenhouse gases as well as regulated pollutants. <br /> <br /> John Thompson, director of the Coal Transition Project for the national
Clean Air Task Force, added, &ldquo;The Illinois legislation requires
emissions from coal-fueled facilities to be at least as low as clean
burning natural gas power plants. This very tough standard should
become the national model.&rdquo; <br /> <br /> Ford noted that the act increases the required CO<sub>2</sub> capture-level to 70 percent for facilities not scheduled to enter
commercial operation until after 2015 and to 90 percent for facilities
not scheduled until after 2017. He said that the CO<sub>2</sub> capture rate from TEC is expected to be in the 55 to 60 percent range.  &ldquo;Basically, we will be capturing almost all of the CO<sub>2</sub> and capturing or eliminating almost all of the other pollutants that
are produced in the process necessary to turn coal into methane. This
methane is identical to natural gas, and so when it fuels TEC&rsquo;s
efficient, combined-cycle block it produces no more CO<sub>2</sub> or
other pollutants than a normal, highly efficient natural gas plant.
TEC&rsquo;s emission levels are expected to be much lower than any other type
of fossil fuel plant, including coal plants, oil plants, older natural
gas plants and peaking natural gas plants.&rdquo; <br /> <br /> Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan led the effort, along with
Tenaska, to develop legislation that would be good for the economy,
create thousands of new jobs, and provide significant protections to
electric customers. These protections include rate reviews by the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Illinois Commerce
Commission, as well as the need for final approval by the Illinois
General Assembly after preparation of a detailed facility cost report.
The legislation also contains a benchmark of 2.015 percent as the
maximum potential rate impact on electric utility customers, which
could only occur after the plant begins operations.<br /> <br /> &ldquo;This groundbreaking legislation will create jobs at Illinois clean
coal and renewable energy facilities, as well as in the coal industry,&rdquo;
said Madigan. &ldquo;It provides a unique opportunity for Illinois to become
the national leader in the effort to build the kind of green economy
championed by President-elect Obama. To pass this bill, we brought
together a remarkable coalition and worked hard to produce legislation
that will benefit all Illinoisans,&rdquo; Madigan said. <br /> <br /> The next step for the TEC project is the preparation of a detailed
Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) study and facility cost report.
Then, in its spring 2010 session, the Illinois General Assembly will
review the FEED study and, if accepted, grant final approval of power
purchase agreements for TEC as mandated by law.<br /> <br /> Current estimates of construction costs are approximately $2.5 billion.
The Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC) and other
costs that will accrue during the four-year construction period bring
the total estimated capital cost to $3.5 billion. No payments will be
due under the power purchase agreement until the plant is completed.
Completion is scheduled for 2014. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /></p>";s:10:"category_0";s:1:"4";s:10:"category_1";s:2:"35";}