Clean Coal Task Force Issues Request for Proposals

February 9, 2011

The Clean Coal Task Force (CCTF) has issued a new request for proposals (RFP) for research investigating low-emissions and other advanced coal technologies.

The CCTF identifies and then funds research projects that could lead to the development of technologies to reduce the environmental impact of coal-based electric generation in Wyoming and across the United States. It has about $7 million in available funding for this round.

As with previous RFPs issued by the CCTF, this one is open to academic institutions and private industry. Deadline to submit a proposal is March 31. All proposals will be competitively evaluated, and the CCTF will fund projects judged to deliver maximum benefit through improved use of, and expanded markets for Wyoming coal.

All endorsed projects will be funded through the Clean Coal Research Account, enacted by the Wyoming Legislature in 2007 and updated during the 2008, 2009 and 2010 legislative sessions.

"The Clean Coal Research Account has stimulated a level of interest and innovation commensurate with the expectations of the Wyoming Legislature," says Mark Northam, director of the School of Energy Resources at the University of Wyoming, which administers the fund. "Early indications of progress for funded projects are quite impressive and we look forward to continued success in the future."

The CCTF is seeking proposals in the areas of research and development of new technologies that reduce emissions from coal; pilot-scale demonstration of emerging technologies; engineering scale-up of demonstrated technologies; and integration and operation of carbon capture technologies.

Proposers may request between $250,000 to $5 million in research program funding, to be matched dollar-by-dollar by outside funds. The CCTF will forward its recommendations to the Joint Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee for final approval.

The research account, which opened four years ago with just $2.5 million, is now supporting 33 projects with nearly $24 million in state funding and $28 million in outside funding.

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