EKB News

In an international effort, American Electric Power has partnered forces with Alstom, a French company, to find a solution that will allow coal to remain a part of the energy equation while adjusting to climate change. Friday, a $70 million demonstration project was formally commissioned during a ceremony in Mason County. Company officials say it's the world's first project to integrate combustion of fuel while capturing and storing carbon at a coal-fired power plant to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to AEP, the project began earlier this fall and will operate for one to five years. At current capacity, the operation is capable of capturing and storing about 100,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. AEP has applied for federal funding to scale up the project.