Group Says Clean Coal Means More Jobs

They are two words that don't seem to go together: clean and coal. But as President Obama looks to boost U.S. energy production and create jobs while capping carbon emissions, he might find a friend in the coal industry.

That's because a new study by a coal group, the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, suggests that building some 124 new power plants with clean coal technology could create 150,000 new jobs while producing less pollution. Building and installing the technology that cleans the coal burning process is expensive and the group suggests the Feds will have to help, but it could be a new way to add jobs and energy sources without messing up the environment.

The study's release was timed for today because Obama's Task Force On Carbon Capture and Storage met for the first time today. Here's what ACCCE sent Whispers:

New Study Spotlights Jobs Benefits of Clean Coal Technology

First Meeting of White House Task Force on Carbon Capture & Storage is Commended by ACCCE

Alexandria, VA – The deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies at advanced coal facilities would create or support more than 150,000 jobs nationally, according to a study released today by the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE). The study done for ACCCE by BBC Research & Consulting found that 1.7 million job years of labor would be created through the construction of 124 new advanced coal facilities by 2025.

"Deploying carbon capture and storage makes good economic sense, by enhancing existing employment and creating new well-paying jobs," said Steve Miller, president and CEO of ACCCE. "These technologies are critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions."

The study was released the same day that the White House's Interagency Task Force on Carbon Capture and Storage held their first public meeting in Washington, D.C. The Task Force is working to develop a comprehensive federal strategy to speed the development and deployment of carbon capture and storage.

"Clean coal technology is already at work today, with a number of pilot-scale projects that are capturing and storing carbon emissions. But realizing the full potential of this technology and deploy it commercially, will require a strong and sustained partnership between the government and the private sector. We are hopeful that the task force's report will provide a sound and lasting strategy for that partnership.

"We appreciate the work being done by the task force. The use of CCS will help maintain access to affordable reliable electricity from coal to power our economy and make it easier for working families to make ends meet," said Miller.

To read the full study, please visit: www.americaspower.org/ccs-state-jobs.

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