A National Gasification Strategy

Deck: 

Presenting a program to stimulate robust coal-gasification technology deployment at low federal cost.

Fortnightly Magazine - June 2005
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Near-term deployment of gasification technologies can supplement natural-gas supply, reduce demand, and promote long-term U.S. energy security and affordability. But near-term deployment must overcome high capital costs that affect commercial competitiveness and capital availability

A national gasification strategy that provides federal loan guarantees and other incentives for industrial and electricity sector investments in gasification technology can overcome these hurdles and stimulate a robust deployment. By relying on federal loan guarantees as the primary initial incentive approach, federal budget costs can be minimized while jumpstarting construction of significant capacity.

An important policy choice faces the U.S. Congress as it considers where gasification fits into U.S. energy policy. Would the national interest be best served by facilitating a limited number of prototype gasification facilities, or by boldly helping investors finance a substantial fleet of gasification projects to counter the natural gas shortfall and substitute for higher polluting direct coal-combustion facilities?

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