We Energies draws curtain on carbon scrubber

Daily Reporter (Milwaukee), Feb 28, 2008 by Sean Ryan

If proposed state rules requiring lower carbon dioxide emissions take effect in 2011, power companies will need to spend a lot of money on technology to help them comply.

But state Rep. Spencer Black, the Madison Democrat who is the main sponsor of the carbon dioxide legislation, said laws requiring lower power plant emissions are inevitable and so are higher utility rates. The bill is stalled in the Assembly, but Black predicted the November elections will bring enough new Democratic blood into the state Capitol to shift the balance toward his proposal.

"Rates are going to increase because of global warming, because at some point there is going to be federal legislation," Black said. "That is the future. That is going to happen."

But We Energies and the Electric Power Research Institute, a national group funded by utilities, argue they could lessen the blow if they're given more time to develop new and cleaner technologies.

"Frequently, when you are dealing with new technology, especially in this field, it's not like slapping together a toy," said Clay Perry, media relations manager for the research institute.

We Energies on Wednesday invited guests to its Pleasant Prairie power plant to show off technology it's testing that captures carbon dioxide in coal smoke so it won't be released into the atmosphere. The test was paid for and organized by the Electric Power Research Institute. If the technology is successful, it's exactly the kind of thing that would help utilities comply with new regulations, Perry said, but it's not yet a proven product.

"We're talking about a time line that extends out years in terms of proving the technology works," he said. "The technology simply isn't there for them to do it now."

Beyond carbon capture, the research institute is researching ways to make generators more efficient as well as renewable energy sources and nuclear power.

Black's legislation proposed a cap and trade system that limits the amount of carbon dioxide utilities or large industrial companies can emit, and if they fall below the limit they can sell the ability to emit the gas to other companies. He said that, since global warming would lead to huge costs for future generations, the time is now to accept the expense of lowering emissions.

"The costs of doing nothing are astronomical if you look at the impacts of global warming on the economy and quality of life," he said. "The costs will be visited upon the next generation."

The We Energies scrubber will tap into the Pleasant Prairie smokestacks in March, but the tests will only involve a small amount of total emissions. The tests will last for about a year, said Brian Manthey, We Energies spokesman, and the same technology will be tested on a larger plant in West Virginia next year.

"If there's just one option or options that aren't really viable or are costly, those need to be vetted out ahead of time," Manthey said. "The more options you have, no matter what it is, the better opportunity for the customers."

Even if the carbon capture machinery, developed by Alstom, works and is cost-effective, the county needs to find something to do with all of the carbon dioxide, Manthey said. Discussions are under way in Washington, D.C., to find a place to store the carbon underground.