A fourth coal plant falters

Southern Power, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company, and the Orlando Utilities Commission pulled the plug Wednesday on their joint venture to build a 285 megawatt coal gasification plant slated for the Stanton Energy Center near Orlando. Uncertainty over carbon regulation prompted its withdrawal, said a release from the company.

Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle, know as IGCC, produces less smog and acid rain pollutants, but it produces just as much carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, as a traditional coal plant. Experts say that IGCC, which turns coal into a compressed gas before combustion, is the best platform for capturing carbon. But capturing the carbon and storing it, perhaps in saline aquifers deep underground, remains unproven in Florida.

Tampa Electric canceled its plans for a second IGCC plant at its Polk Power Station in October. If Gov. Charlie Crist or Congress puts a price on carbon, IGCC could become prohibitively expensive, utility executives worry. It's the fourth Florida coal plant to derail since June, in part due to Crist's outspoken opposition to coal.

- Asjylyn Loder, Times staff writer

Comments

[Carol A. Overland]

Can we have your governor? In Minnesota, "our" governor Pawlenty, who is maneuvering to be Vice President, supports IGCC, specifically Excelsior Energy's Mesaba Project, despite his own agencies analysis finding it was too costly (Dept. of Commerce), didn't provide significant environmental benfits (Pollution Control Agency) and wasn't in the public interest (Administrative Law Judges recommendation). The Chair of PUC says, about IGCC, "This dog won't hunt. You can keep it as a pet but you have to train it." He expressed his frustration and lead the charge to stop deliberation about the Mesaba Project, only to have it sadly and inexplicably resurrected by Pugh at the last minute. The nation, the world, has something to learn from Florida's rejection of IGCC, and Arizona, and Colorado, and... and... I'm forgetting which others, there have been so many. IGCC just isn't a happening thing.

Carol
Attorney for mncoalgasplant.com, Intervening landowners near Excelsior Energy's preferred site for Mesaba Project.