CLEAN COAL: BETTER THAN DIRTY COAL

This very important change in the UN’s approach to “clean” coal recognizes the harsh realities of coal as expressed in remarks by Senator Joe Biden reported here last week: BIDEN ON COAL. Like Biden's point of view, it accepts the responsibility to carefully watch an inevitable and potential "good" in place of a not yet realizable "perfect."

Clean coal to qualify for Kyoto carbon offsets
September 14, 2007 (Reuters)
and
Clean coal to qualify for Kyoto carbon offsets
Michael Szabo, September 14, 2007 (Environmental News Network)

WHO
Hans Jurgen Stehr, Chair, CDM Executive Board, Ryan McDonaghm, ICECAP Ltd.

Obtaining certification under the UN Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is a complicated process. (click to enlarge)

WHAT
The United Nations Clean Development Mechanism (UN CDM) rules have been amended so that “clean” coal (and other fossil fuel) power plants which meet efficiency standards can sell Certified Emission Reduction (CER) credits to help fund their efforts.

WHEN
The announcement was made following a UN climate change panel meeting in Bonn, Germany, September 14.

WHERE
Only fossil fuel-fired power plants in countries where fossil fuels account for more than half of the electricity generated will qualify.

WHY
- The goal of the amended rules was to facilitate the installation of “clean” fossil fuel power plants in countries where fossil fuels are a large part of the electricity generating capacity. In order to prevent the new provision from becoming an incentive to burn fossil fuels, the new rules also have a phase out provision.
- A knowledgeable source estimated the new rules may apply to some 40 presently operating power plants worldwide.
- Present CDM rules fund renewable energy, reforestation and waste management projects.
- There are now 780 registered CDM projects in 48 countries. 1320 projects await CDM registration. 1 CER offsets 1 ton of emissions.
- One estimate puts the total of registered CERs at 2.2 billion.

Will carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) meet the CDM requirements? (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
- Ryan McDonagh, ICECAP: "This should shift (the current CER supply) up by around 50 million...or an extra two or three percent…"
- Hans Jurgen Stehr, Chair, CDM Executive Board: “Fossil fuel will remain a big part of the world’s energy mix for decades to come. It’s essential that we burn that fuel as efficiently as possible.”