Researchers and coal industry leaders will meet in Laramie Thursday as scientists unveil a new wave of research into clean coal technologies.
The research focuses on practical and commercially viable ways for reducing carbon dioxide emissions that are the result of burning coal.
Among the projects being discussed are new methods for treating coal before it is burned as well as ways of trapping carbon dioxide emissions in geologic formations instead of releasing those gases into the atmosphere.
Diana Hulme with the University of Wyoming's School of Energy Resources, and says one of the biggest hurdles facing this new research is uncertainty about future regulations for carbon dioxide emissions. Without clear regulations, some companies may be reluctant to invest in these new technologies.
"That uncertainty may have some impact on where the research goes and what direction it takes."
The clean coal symposium marks the first wave of completed research projects funded by the Clean Coal Technology Fund.
Wyoming legislators established the fund in 2007 and so far have allocated 31 million dollars towards research into clean coal technologies.
