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Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – One of the world’s largest carbon capture pilots is getting closer to beginning operation. The ribbon-cutting ceremony at City, Water, Light & Power in Springfield on Tuesday celebrated the construction and pending operation of the 10 Megawatt Large Pilot carbon capture project at CWLP’s Dallman Unit 4.
The Linde/BASF Advanced Post-Combustion CO2 Capture Technology is a step in reducing CO2 emissions from power plants. The initiative by the U.S. Department of Energy and Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign aims to evaluate the capture technology and create a methodology for future retrofits of existing power plants with capture technologies. According to PRI, when the capture system begins to process five percent of the Dallman Unit 4 flue gas, it will capture more than 90 percent of those CO2 emissions.
The DOE has committed to funding $54 million of the $80 million cost. The State of Illinois has allocated $20 million, and Linde/BASF will provide another $6 million.
Doug Brown, chief utility engineer for CWLP, said, “It’s essential that we have solutions to meet the environmental goals through carbon capture in order to power our nation’s infrastructure in our homes, our businesses, and even our manufacturing operations. Just as power plants need sustainable solutions, manufacturers need to rely on low carbon solutions to operate in order to meet these goals.”
The project is already creating an economic impact in Springfield. PRI estimates the project accounts for $22 million to Illinois construction companies and union workers. The project will provide another $10 million to employ union operators.
Mayor Misty Buscher said, “It’s about the ecology of our community. It’s all about forward thinking, but none of that is possible without union labor. So, to me, the most important part of this project is the jobs we are bringing to our community for now and forever.”
State Rep. Sue Scherer spoke at the ribbon cutting and addressed the “elephant in the living room.” Scherer said, “I know many of our constituents feel uncomfortable with this. I feel that the final bill that we voted on, that’s becoming law, is the best possible solution.” She went on to say, “I feel strongly from all sides. From the Sierra Club, the unions, and the corporations, I feel we landed on the best possible solution. We have to address the climate issue in our country, so putting regulations on it is a much better thing than just letting people do it without regulations.”
Construction of the project began in 2022, and it is expected to be completed this fall. Testing will begin at that time and is scheduled to be completed in 2026.
