AEP is actively engaged in the national discussion to shape climate change legislation. The Chicago Climate Exchange provides a good model for a federal cap-and-trade program. We have joined with others to support policies that foster advanced coal technologies, such as carbon capture and storage, at both the federal and state levels.
Our actions on this front include participating in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Advanced Coal Technology Work Group, which focuses on identifying barriers to and incentives that promote the rapid development and deployment of coal technologies.
AEP's chief executive officer chairs the Business Roundtable's Energy Task Force, which has released a comprehensive vision and action plan for America's energy future, recognizing the need for a diversity of fuels and for public policies to support technology, reduce emissions and promote energy efficiency.
We were disappointed with the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) decision to end its funding for the FutureGen project – the first near-zero emissions coal power plant. We continue to support this project, and will also support additional funding of carbon capture and storage projects. The DOE has restructured FutureGen funding toward advancement of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. DOE has issued a Request for Information (RFI) on this new proposal. We have responded and have identified several carbon capture and storage initiatives that AEP has undertaken. We look forward to working with the DOE and are willing to take action on both FutureGen and CCS projects.
