Clean coal technology: Jaiswal pitches for cooperation with US

Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal today expressed the need for strengthening cooperation with the US in the areas of clean coal technologies and underground coal gasification.

In a meeting with a US delegation, led by American Senator Christopher Bond here, Jaiswal said use of clean coal technologies was essential in view of the growing demand for coal in India due to addition in power-generation capacity.

Underground coal gasification is an industrial process that enables coal to be converted into gas, while clean coal technology is used to reduce environmental impact of coal energy generation.

“Issues relating to energy security were discussed in the meeting... it was further mentioned that Coal India Ltd had issued a global expression of interest for strategic partnerships through formation of joint ventures for opening greenfield projects and equity infusion with relatively long-term offtake agreements,” an official statement said.

It was also mentioned that a global study bringing out the benefits of coal in various countries of the world had been initiated by American coal companies. which Indian coal companies would support.