Carol Raulston
(202) 463-2610
craulston@nma.org

Luke Popovich
(202) 463-2620
lpopovich@nma.org

January 30, 2008

NMA Supports Continued Partnership on FutureGen; Calls for Accelerated and Sustained Commitment to Deploy Carbon Management Technologies

The following statement was released today by National Mining Association (NMA) President and CEO Kraig R. Naasz following press reports questioning the Department of Energy’s (DOE) continuing support for FutureGen, which is slated to become the world’s first virtually emissions-free, coal-based electricity generation facility:

“The United States needs an accelerated and sustained commitment to the research, development and deployment of technologies that will allow us to successfully manage carbon emissions at coal-based power plants. This will require a strong partnership between coal-based energy providers and policymakers to supply the necessary funding and technological direction. The FutureGen project has been and should continue to be a key part of our commitment to a secure and clean energy future.

“NMA remains hopeful that the partnership between DOE and the FutureGen Alliance, which includes U.S. and international coal producers and coal-based utilities, can be cemented and the project can realize the potential it was designed to achieve.

“Coal is our most abundant domestic fuel. It provides half of the nation’s electricity because it is affordable, reliable and safe within our own borders. Coal will continue to be used by the world’s largest and fastest growing economies. Coal producers, utilities, Congress and the administration have enjoyed a long and successful partnership that has culminated in clean coal technologies responsible for dramatic emissions reductions at coal-based power plants. All Americans have benefited from that partnership. Our energy security and economic future depend on FutureGen and projects like it to continue that vital effort.”