As Wyoming looks to become a leader in carbon capture technology, the University of Wyoming's Energy Resources Council has launched its search for projects to develop that technology.
The Legislature appropriated $5 million to the effort after a letter from Gov. Mark Gordon requested funding to support post-combustion reduction technology, or technology that traps carbon dioxide emitted in energy generation.
Now, the Energy Resources Council wants to identify and provide funding for coal-based generation technology projects that capture at least 75 percent of carbon emissions.
UW School of Energy Resources Director of Research Scott Quillinan said the project is all about the future of the state's coal resources.
"This is really kind of looking forward to what technology we'll need to continue to use coal," he said.
Quillinan added that Wyoming's position as a coal producing state puts it in line for technological development.
"All of that fossil fuel is associated with carbon dioxide if it's burned. So that leaves us with a large responsibility, and I think we need to be a leader in carbon management," he said.
The project must occur within Wyoming, and Quillinan said he doesn't know how many individual projects will be awarded funds.
Proposals are due to the School of Energy Resources on February 14, 2020. The Energy Resources Council will oversee the selection process, which will be handled by outside reviewers, and make recommendations to the Governor for final award approval.
Have a question about this story? Contact the reporter, Catherine Wheeler, at cwheel11@uwyo.edu.
