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ACCCE Applauds Passage of Landmark Clean Coal Measures
PRNewswire-USNewswire - June 4, 2009

ACCCE Applauds Passage of Landmark Clean Coal Measures and Successful Wrap to the Texas Legislative Session

AUSTIN, Texas, June 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Coalition for
Clean Coal Electricity applauds the successful conclusion of Texas' 81st
legislative session and the passage of several bills that provide
comprehensive incentive measures for clean coal technology projects in the
state.

"The measures endorsed by ACCCE and the Clean Coal Technology Foundation of
Texas that passed this session represent a major step forward in the
development of clean coal technologies and help solidify Texas as a leader
in creating clean energy from our country's most abundant fuel source," said
Joe Lucas, vice president of communications for ACCCE.

Key among the incentive bills, HB 469 establishes sales tax exemptions on
certain equipment for projects that capture at least half of their carbon
dioxide emissions and gives local taxing authorities the freedom to grant
further tax breaks during the initial phase of development. Further, HB 469
authorizes a $100 million franchise tax credit to the first three in-state
projects that can achieve a 70 percent carbon capture rate. Amendments to
the bill also set environmental performance standards for potential projects
higher than any other state or national incentive program.

Enhanced oil recovery efforts in Texas receive a boost from HB 469 thanks to
a provision that grants a 75 percent, 30-year severance tax exemption for
oil recovered using carbon dioxide captured from a man-made emission source,
such as an advanced clean coal plant.

In addition to HB 469, two bills emerged that air to capitalize on Texas'
immense potential for the storage of carbon dioxide. HB 1387 addresses the
regulatory oversight of captured CO2 and HB 1796 creates an offshore carbon
repository program and a grant program for new emissions-reducing
technologies, such as carbon capture and sequestration.

Other legislation containing benefits for clean coal technology include HB
3676 and HB 3896, both of which deal with enabling certain tax jurisdictions
the ability to help attract major energy and other economic development
projects to their area with greater tax freedoms.

"This was a banner session for clean coal technologies and Texas lawmakers
have positioned Texas as ground zero for advanced clean coal projects," said
Lucas. "Texans should be proud of what was accomplished this year."
About ACCCE

The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) is a non-profit,
non-partisan partnership of companies involved in producing electricity from
coal. Because coal is America's most abundant energy resource, ACCCE
supports energy policies that balance coal's vital role in meeting our
country's growing need for affordable and reliable electricity with the need
to protect the environment. ACCCE also advocates for the development and
deployment of advanced clean coal technologies that will produce electricity
with near-zero emissions. Headquartered in Alexandria, VA, ACCCE has more
than 40 members that represent more than $190 billion in annual revenues and
employ more than 360,000 Americans. For more information, visit
www.cleancoalusa.org or www.americaspower.org.

Source: American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity