The DOE has developed a CO2 map that shows the potential CO2 sequestration geological formations. Most of the electric power in the United States is produced with coal fired power plants. In fact, more than half of the total power for the U.S. is estimated to be generated by coal fired power plants. The CO2 that is generated as a by-product is widely accepted to be a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. The DOE and NETL have multiple projects underway to study different tecnologies for capturing the CO2 and to study the effects of CO2 sequestration in deep geological formations.

There are many variables regarding CO2 capture and sequestration, but one underlying fact that everyone agrees on is that it is significantly easier and cheaper to capture CO2 using the coal gasification process than the older pulverized coal technology. Some estimates indicate that the cost of CO2 capture with gasification technology is less than one half the cost of pulverized coal technology.

The good news is that the DOE estimates that there is a vast potential for CO2 capture and sequestration. In addition, the DOE has information that shows that over 40% of the existing coal power generation capacity is over potential geological sequestration formations. The DOE has prepared a CO2 map that can be downloaded for free.