04/17/2006 237 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version |
California and Wyoming Sign Agreement on Development of Clean Coal Technology
Gov. Schwarzenegger, three other western states' governors issue joint statement on electric transmission line
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, in partnership with the Governors of Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming, took a major step forward today in the effort to secure clean, reliable sources of energy for the West.
"All of our states need clean, abundant sources of energy that can power our economy and protect our environment," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "The Western Regional Transmission Expansion Partnership will help us get wind, solar, geothermal and clean coal power delivered to the places where it's needed most. It will also help us reach our targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions."
At the New Frontier Power Summit in San Diego today, the four Governors issued a joint statement of support for the Partnership, which includes implementation steps on the Frontier Transmission Line. In 2004, Governor Schwarzenegger led an effort at the Western Governor's Association (WGA) that resulted in the commitment of the WGA states to develop 30,000 megawatts of renewable energy over the next decade. The Frontier Line is one way to deliver that energy from where it is generated to where it is needed, especially in California. The statement also recognized a new partnership between California and Wyoming for the development of clean coal technology.
"I'm excited also to create this partnership today with my good friend Governor Freudenthal of Wyoming, to make sure that the latest in clean coal technology is developed here in the West," said Governor Schwarzenegger, at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between California and Wyoming. "These clean coal plants will emit less pollution overall than the cleanest natural gas plants and will capture and eliminate the harmful greenhouse gases before they can make our global warming problems worse."
The California Energy Commission, the Public Utilities Commission, and the Governor's Climate Action Team have all recommended that any long-term investments in new power generation have a greenhouse gas emission characteristic that is equal to or better than a state-of-the-art combined cycle natural gas power plant (Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle or "IGCC"). An IGCC plant with carbon sequestration, as called for by the MOU, would result in no greenhouse gas emissions, thus exceeding the California standard. The MOU also calls on the federal government to provide financial support for the development of IGCC plants.
Link here for Memorandum of Understanding
