The state Department of Environmental Protection will give $1 million to Consol Energy's Research and Development division to help finance a test project designed to capture emissions of carbon dioxide emissions, a greenhouse gas responsible for global warming.

The new technology, if successful, will enable world economies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions while meeting energy needs necessary for economic growth, and also help to reduce the United States' dependence on foreign oil.

"Our goal is to bring on line the world's cleanest power plant -- right here near Pittsburgh," Pressurized Fluidized Bed Combined Cycle President Doug Farnham said. "Pennsylvania has always been an energy leader, and with this new technology, we're working to address tomorrow's challenges as well. We're grateful to the state for its support to help us make this a reality."

The test project in South Park combines an advanced fluidized bed coal burning technology supplied by Mr. Farnham's company for power generation with carbon dioxide separation technology developed by Sargas Inc. The fluidized bed technology is more efficient than that used by most power plants in the U.S. and is designed to reduce emissions by as much as 95 percent, virtually eliminating sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, mercury and particulate emissions.

The use of Sargas technology to capture carbon emissions will reduce carbon dioxide emissions, which will likely be the next phase of required emission reductions for power generation.

First Published: September 22, 2009, 4:00 p.m.