Begun in 1986, the Clean Coal Technology Program was the most ambitious government-industry initiative ever undertaken to develop environmental solutions for the Nation's abundant coal resources.

	"The U.S. Clean Coal Technology Program is the envy of the world." Robert W. Smock Editorial Director, Power Engineering

The program's goal: to demonstrate the best, most innovative technology emerging from the world's engineering laboratories at a scale large enough so that industry could determine whether the new processes had commercial merit.

Originally, the Clean Coal Technology Program was a response to concerns over acid rain, which is formed by sulfur and nitrogen pollutants that can be emitted by coal-burning power plants. Based on recommendations from Special Envoys appointed by the U.S. and Canadian governments, President Reagan commissioned the Clean Coal Technology Program as a cost-shared effort between the U.S. Government, State agencies, and the private sector. Industry-proposed projects were selected through a series of five national competitions aimed at attracting promising technologies that had not yet been proven commercially. 

Clean Coal Technology Projects

Project Details:

To read about a specific project, make a selection from either of the following drop-down menus.  Selections will open a new browser window showing a project bibliography with links to all publications related to the project.

A $3.7 Billion Investment in Clean Energy

Ultimately, 35 pioneering projects in 18 states became part of the Clean Coal Technology Program.

The federal government's funding share totaled $1.6 billion. The private sector, on the other hand, exceeded expectations, contributing $3.2 billion or nearly two-thirds of total project costs. The program had required only 50% non-federal financing.

Industry Responds

• More than 55 individual electric generators serving 33 states participated in the 1986-93 program.
• Participating utilities operate more than 170,000 megawatts, about 25% of U.S. capacity and consume 36% of U.S. coal production.
• More than 50 technology developers and 30 engineering, constructing or consulting services have participated.

Current Status

Of the 35 projects supported by the original Clean Coal Technology Program, by the end of April 2005:

•  32 had completed their planned demonstration phase
        (Many of these remain in commercial operations.)
•   1 is in the final reporting phase
•   1 is still in the operating phase (on hold)
•   1 is still in the design/permitting phase (on hold)