THE NSW Minerals Council (NSWMC) and the Australian Coal Association (ACA) have welcomed the NSW Government’s $60 million commitment to carbon capture and storage.
Projects involved in the program include research and development of carbon capture technologies, including coal gasification and post combustion capture.
The initiative includes an assessment of the State’s potential for geological storage of carbon dioxide (CO2), the main greenhouse gas associated with NSW power stations.
The assessment will lead to a pilot CO2 storage trial at a suitable site.
“Coal producers strongly support a collaborative national effort with co-operation between the states (NSW & Queensland) and between the states and the Commonwealth,” ACA executive director Mark O’Neill said.
The NSW coal industry has already pledged up to $20 million to State Government’s funding for the program through the COAL21 Fund, according to the ACA and NSWMC.