NYSERDA Carbon Sequestration Demonstration Project, Jamestown, New York

For the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA), E & E is investigating options and providing permitting support for the permanent sequestration of CO2 derived from the Advanced Oxy-Coal project, a planned repowering of its coal-burning power plant.  The project involves technical geological studies; land use planning; and reviews of legal, insurance, and regulatory issues.  We are conducting permitting and analytical support work for geological sequestration and/or reuse of CO2, as well as leading the permit strategy for the entire project along with other industrial partners.  This project will sequester 90% of the CO2 generated by the combustion of coal.

The proposed oxy-fuel plant will be the first of its kind and serve as a demonstration facility for capturing CO2 emissions and sequestering them underground for permanent storage.  To make the case for funding assistance, we examined potential revenues the plant might derive from sale of carbon credits under cap-and-trade programs currently under consideration.  Our analysis demonstrated that the “bonus” credits, which the proposed programs would provide by sequestering CO2, would result in a substantial source of revenue.