Coal is projected to remain a dominant source of fuel for electric power generation, both domestically and globally, well into the 21st century.   Coal currently supplies more than 56 percent of U.S. electric power needs.   Part of DOE's mission is to foster the development and deployment of advanced, clean, affordable, fossil-based power systems that use coal to produce low-cost, reliable electricity.

In the early part of the next decade, U.S. power generators will select the next generation of baseload power plants.  In an era of tight environmental standards, new plants will have to meet very stringent air quality requirements.  Coal is expected to remain a fuel of choice for many of these plants, and FBC technology could provide an important option for a power company that must meet these air quality standards while producing the most affordable electricity possible for its consumers.

The benefits of the FBC program are:

• Reduction in the cost of electricity while maintaining a high standard of living for the U.S.

• Reduction in the emission of air pollutants via the use of advanced FBC technology.

• Minimization of the emissions of greenhouse gases like CO₂ through the use of advanced PFBC technology.

• Reduction in U.S. dependence upon imported fuels for economic security.

• Reduction in use of premium, high value, industrial fossil feedstock for the production of electricity.

• Export of FBC technology will create 826,000 jobs through the year 2030. The $41.3 billion of U.S. sales of PFBC technology will result in an overall net benefit to the country of $45.7 billion due to new tax revenues and reduction in unemployment costs.