Allegheny Energy Releases Global Climate Change Report

Click the image to read Allegheny's Climate Change Report Click here to read the news release

Allegheny Energy Climate Change Policy  

Introduction

Allegheny Energy’s generation facilities are primarily coal-fired facilities and, therefore, emit carbon dioxide as coal is consumed. Carbon dioxide is one of the greenhouse gases implicated in global climate change. There is no current technology that enables control of such emissions from existing coal-fired power plants, which constitute the majority of the Company’s fleet. At the same time, Allegheny Energy takes its responsibility for environmental stewardship seriously and recognizes its obligation to address the issue of climate change.

Although there remain many questions surrounding the global warming phenomenon, Allegheny agrees it is time to join the global efforts to address climate change.

Despite the regulatory actions of some states and regional groups in recent years, Allegheny Energy believes the challenge presented by global climate change can only be resolved with global solutions. Congress is moving towards the development of national legislation, yet the process is still in its infancy.

Allegheny Legislative Position

Allegheny has carefully reviewed the ongoing legislative initiatives and reviewed the technical, regulatory and operational issues associated with potential future emissions controls on greenhouse gases. Given the critical need for the power generated by our fleet and the need to keep it operational for the foreseeable future, Allegheny endorses timely and responsible federal legislation containing the following components:

1. Economy-wide regulation to more evenly allocate the significant costs of controls and to provide society-wide incentives for conservation and technology innovation.

2. A cap and trade control system, based on heat input, that provides a significant allocation to current carbon dioxide emitters and limits the amount of carbon allowances to be auctioned.

3. The extensive use of emission offsets on a global basis.

4. Federal funding of clean coal research and technology.

5. Recognition of an extended timeline for the research, testing, approval and implementation of any new technologies.

6. Support of United States economic interests and recognition of the importance of American energy supply reliability.

7. Acknowledgement of the global emissions picture and creation of the proper incentives and disincentives that will result in global responses and global solutions.

Allegheny Current Activities

In preparation for anticipated Congressional action the Company’s current strategy focuses on:

• Developing an accurate carbon dioxide emissions inventory,

• Improving the efficiency of our existing coal-burning fleet,

• Following developing technologies for clean-coal energy and for carbon dioxide emission controls at coal-fired power plants,

• Following developing technologies for carbon sequestration ,

• Participating in carbon dioxide sequestration efforts (e.g. re-forestation projects) both domestically and abroad,

• Analyzing options for future energy investment (e.g. renewables, clean-coal, etc.), and

• Improving demand-side efficiency programs.

To the extent legislation is introduced and programs are developed, Allegheny will aggressively advocate for a national approach that recognizes the importance of its generation fleet, enhances the environment, and ensures continued energy supply for our customers.

Allegheny Energy Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Emissions