Congresswoman Doris Matsui Announces $30 Million for Local Company to Improve Carbon Capture Technology

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, September 8, 2010

CONTACT: MARA LEE
(202) 225-7163

CA Today, Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (CA-05) announced that Clean Energy Systems, a local clean technology company based in Rancho Cordova, has been awarded $30,000,000 in Federal funding to develop turbo-machinery and engines that will help improve carbon capture and storage when applied to industrial processes. The funding was made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, passed by Congress in 2009 and supported by Congresswoman Matsui, which is making critical investments in clean energy technology throughout the country and is helping to create jobs within this sector.

Already, the Sacramento region had received over $250 million in Federal funds through the Recovery Act for clean energy and energy efficiency projects. Today's announcement of an additional $30 million brings that total up to $280 million, and is expected to create over 150 direct jobs, and thousands of indirect jobs over the next several years. This funding will also further promote Sacramento's ability to be a leader within the emerging clean energy sector, and attract new businesses and financing.

The investment of $30 million in Federal funding for advanced carbon capture technology is indicative of this Congress commitment to support American-made clean energy products and technology, stated Congresswoman Matsui. Investing in American-made technology and products is a clear path to economic recovery, renewed financial stability, and measurable job growth. Here in Sacramento, we will see the tangible benefits of job creation, cleaner air, and a boost to our local economy.

Clean Energy Systems was selected by the Department of Energy (DOE), with the support of Congresswoman Matsui, to help accelerate development of zero emission power plants utilizing a variety of fuel sources. Specifically, the funding will support the development of a first of its kind commercial-scale oxy-fuel turbine. The oxy-fuel turbine can use a diverse set of fuels including natural gas, bio-fuels, gasified petroleum coke, and refinery off gases, while capturing nearly all the carbon dioxide.

Clean Energy Systems has developed high-pressure, oxygen-fuel combustion technology based on mature, proven rocket technology. Integration of oxy-fuel combustion technology into conventional power generation systems makes Zero-Emissions Power Plants (ZEPPs) based on fossil fuels practical today, and could revolutionize the power industry by eliminating the traditional power plant stack and making zero-emission power plants a standard installation. Clean Energy Systems manufactures and assembles the oxy-fuel combustor in Rancho Cordova.

With this funding, we will be able to accelerate our turbine program to deploy and test the critical components for a zero emission power plant, said Keith Pronske, President and CEO of Clean Energy Systems. We can make power without pollution a reality years ahead of our previous plans.

Today's funding underscores the commitment of this Congress to support investments in clean energy technology and to bolster America's manufacturing sector. In July, Congresswoman Matsui joined House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (MD-05) and other Members of Congress committed to reviving America's manufacturing sector and creating good-paying American jobs to unveil the Make It In America Agenda. The Make it in America Agenda is a manufacturing strategy based on the idea that when more products are made in America, more people will be able to make it in America. The Agenda includes Congresswoman Matsui's legislation, H.R. 5156, the Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Act of 2010, which would boost the competiveness of the U.S. clean technology industry in both domestic and international markets by promoting policies that reduce production costs and encourage innovation, investment, and productivity in the clean energy technology industry here at home. The Matsui legislation was passed by the House on July 28, 2010.

The Make it in America Agenda creates incentives for investment in industry, will strengthen manufacturing infrastructure and innovation, and helps to level the playing field for American companies that compete globally, added Congresswoman Matsui. Moreover, targeted investments to support local companies like Clean Energy Systems will help our region seize the opportunity to create new jobs and position ourselves as a clean tech capital.

For a complete list and interactive map of Recovery Act funding at work in California's Fifth Congressional District, please visit www.matsui.house.gov/recovery.