The proceeds from the $245m loan will be used to finance the construction of RREP’s Activated Carbon (AC) production facility in Coushatta, Louisiana. The RREP facility will sell AC to electricity producers seeking to reduce their mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants.
RREP will help meet the growing demand for AC from power plants in 19 states and four Canadian provinces, which must satisfy existing mercury mitigation regulations by 2010 and thereafter.
The plant will have an annual capacity of 150 million pounds of AC, sufficient to capture mercury from up to 40,000MW of coal-fired power generation. According to the company, the plant will also use advanced pollution control equipment and the conversion of waste heat into electricity to minimize emissions, making it one of the cleanest AC facilities in the world.
Michael Durham, president and CEO of ADA-ES, said: “We are pleased that the Department of Energy, under the leadership of Energy secretary Stephen Chu, recognizes the value of the Red River project in meeting president Obama’s and congress’ goals of energy independence, job creation and a cleaner environment.
“This important step in the financing of our AC plant will enable the US to utilize its abundant coal resources in a much cleaner way by reducing the emissions of mercury. It will also provide much needed jobs to this region of the country.”
