Officials promote Sask. carbon capture project

A project aimed at reducing harmful emissions from a coal-fired power plant in Saskatchewan is the focus of a government-sponsored symposium.

The Boundary Dam, near Estevan, is home to SaskPower's most important electricity generating station.

The facility burns coal to spin the turbines which produce electricity and tonnes of greenhouse gases in the process.

Saskatchewan's carbon capture technology is being tested at the plant in a project estimated to cost about $1.24 billion.

"This one facility that is being constructed right now will be the equivalent of taking off the road about 250,000 vehicles," Bill Boyd, the provincial minister responsible for the venture, said Tuesday. "So that's pretty significant. And then the next ones after that could add obviously to that total."

The project is expected to be up and running by this fall with a final completion date set for April, 2014.

Saskatchewan work in the area was recently promoted by Premier Brad Wall, during a visit to Pittsburgh May 9.

"We have a great story to tell," Wall said just before leaving, calling the technology a potential "game-changer for countries that are still going to have coal in the mix."

Wall was also asked about the ongoing controversy surrounding the University of Regina's oversight of carbon capture research on its campus.

Wall praised the research work, but added some of the issues at the U of R were serious.

Wall noted the issues included sole-sourced contracts and conflicts of interest.

According to the government, more than 60 representatives from governments and organizations from 12 countries are in the province to learn about SaskPower's carbon capture project.

The symposium runs for three days.