Rep. Hughes pushes FutureGen

State representative Bryan Hughes [R, Mineola] has filed House Bill 2201 to enhance Texas' chances of becoming home to the groundbreaking, zero emission coal-fired power plant known as the FutureGen project. The U.S. Department of Energy, Hughes noted, is expected later this year to solicit proposals from states willing to host this $1 billion international research project that could turn coal, a fossil fuel condemned by environmentalists for causing air pollution, into a truly clean fuel.

According to Hughes, "It is important that we pass HB 2201 to ensure that there is nothing in the regulatory process that will put the state of Texas at a competitive disadvantage with other states vying for this clean energy project." Coal gasification and international research are the key components of the electric generation facility that could mean 12,000 jobs and have a huge economic impact statewide. HB 2201 aims to ensure that the Texas licensing process is consistent with federal regulations for a new generating station.

Hughes added that Texas is the best state for FutureGen because it has the necessary resources to make the project successful, including -

* the ability to sequester carbon dioxide, which together with hydrogen will be valuable byproducts of the FutureGen system.

* an oil and gas industry that can use the carbon dioxide to increase production.

* a growing population in need of additional electricity.

* a vibrant chemical industry that will benefit from FutureGen byproducts.

He might have also added that Texas has huge reserves of lignite coal, which would greatly benefit from the FutureGen process, and that Texas has yet to receive a single dollar from the federal government's Clean Coal program - so we are way overdue for some federal funding here.

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