Coal Utilization and Fuel Systems Conference

"The Clean Air Act and utility deregulation are major factors driving change within the coal and coal transportation industries. While utility deregulation is putting pressure on utilities to decrease fuel costs, environmental regulations are putting pressure on utilities to use lower sulfur coal" said Stuart D. Serkin in opening remarks at the 24th International Technology Conference on Coal Utilization and Fuel Systems. Serkin, executive director of the Conference said that the meeting offered opportunities to address and present solutions to the challenges posed by the Clean Air Act and utility deregulation.

The meeting's format of panel discussion was an excellent way to open up discourse and debate. Two hour  panel discussions at the start of morning or afternoon sessions brought together audience and participants who were fresh and eager to  engage in lively debate. Topics covered were maintaining coal's viability into the 21st century, low NO_x burner retrofits, environmental challenges/technological solutions and global warming.

The Conference, held in Clearwater, FL, March 8-11 was presented by the Coal &  Slurry Technology Association, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers' Fuels & Combustion Technologies Division, the U.S. Dept. of Energy, and the U.S. Dept. of Energy's Federal Energy Technology Center.