As the world's leading energy user and greenhouse gas emitter, the U.S. must take the lead in showing the world carbon capture and sequestration can work.
--John Deutch, Ph.D., MIT, Department of Chemistry

Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC)

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The Wallula Energy Resource Center (WERC) will showcase world changing power technology to help meet the Northwest's growing need for electric power. See our June 14, 2007 Statement.

The Wallula Energy Resource Center will use "gasification" technology developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) to convert coal into a synthetic gas. This "syngas" will run Mitsubishi turbines to generate electricity for use by regional utilities. By gasifying the coal WERC will capture approximately 65% of the coal's embedded carbon dioxide (CO₂) and safely - and permanently - sequester the greenhouse gas into deep subterranean basalt formations.

The Wallula Energy Resource Center will use Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) technology (see Video Introduction) to generate approximately 914 megawatts of electricity, an amount equal to half of Seattle's total power requirements. IGCC, coupled with sequestration, will enable WERC to fully comply with the CO₂ emission performance standards recently adopted by Washington State.

WERC will cost approximately $3.2 billion, which would make it the largest proposed private investment ever made in Eastern Washington. During the three-year construction period, WERC will employ an average of 530 workers. More than 100 permanent employees will be needed to operate the plant.