Ahead of the Bell: Senate looks at coal |
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Thu, 26 Apr 2007 11:46
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WASHINGTON (AP) - A Senate subcommittee meets Thursday to discuss technologies that could help power plants burn coal more cleanly and reduce emissions of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.Congress is considering an array of proposed bills aimed at curtailing the release of carbon dioxide and other so-called 'greenhouse' gases, including one sponsored by Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., that would halt the growth of carbon emissions by 2030, and another by Sen. Barbara Boxer, D.-Calif., who wants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by mid-century.Scientists believe unless carbon dioxide and methane emissions are rolled back, the planet will become warmer, potentially causing severe consequences later this century.A study released last month by Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers found that finding ways to capture and store emissions of carbon dioxide is the best way to allow the world's cheapest and most plentiful fuel to meet increasing demands for energy while combatting global warming. Coal accounts for half of the country's electricity production.One of the MIT report's authors, chemical engineering professor Gregory J. McRae, is scheduled to speak at the Science, Technology and Innovation Subcommittee hearing, which begins at 10 a.m.Other speakers include a representative of the Clean Air Task Force, an environmental group, and executives with Reno, Nev.-based utility Sierra Pacific Resources, Columbus, Ohio-based power producer American Electric Power Co. and Siemens AG, which makes power plants.Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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