Petra Nova, the world’s largest carbon capture plant, is now operational near Houston thanks to a joint venture between NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG) and Tokyo’s JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration Corp. The facility is capable of capturing 90 percent of the carbon dioxide (CO2) from 240 MW slipstream of flue gas – a figure that equates to 1.6 million tons of CO2 per year.

This game-changing technology will potentially alter the course of coal-fueled power plants worldwide. Petra Nova is the largest retrofit of a coal plant with carbon capture technology, and the first domestic example of the scalable capture of carbon emissions from coal generation. It is twice the size of the only other similar project, Canada’s SaskPower Boundary Dam Power Station.

Jackson Walker partner Mike Nasi was involved in the development and support of legislation that provided significant tax incentives for the Petra Nova project, an effort that resulted in him being named an Energy & Environmental Trailblazer by National Law Journal. The legislation created the most comprehensive financial and regulatory incentive program in the nation for electric power generation technology that captures carbon dioxide and utilizes it in enhanced oil recovery projects while simultaneously storing or “sequestering” the carbon dioxide to abate climate impacts (often referred to as “Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage [CCUS]” projects)..

“We are honored to have had a part of making this revolutionary project possible,” said Nasi, head of Jackson Walker’s Carbon Management practice. “This demonstrates our commitment to working in partnership with state and local government to leverage markets, not mandates, to commercialize and deploy CCUS technology in the United States and throughout the world.”

About NRG Energy, Inc.

NRG is the leading integrated power company in the U.S., built on the strength of the nation’s largest and most diverse competitive electric generation portfolio and leading retail electricity platform.

About Mike Nasi

Michael J. Nasi is an energy and environmental attorney with extensive experience in federal and state regulations, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act. He counsels parties in ongoing EPA regulatory proceedings as well as proceedings before the United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth, Eighth, Tenth, and D.C. Circuits, as well as the Supreme Court of the United States. Mike has been recognized in the prestigious Chamber’s USA Leading Lawyers for Business – Environment section and is has made several “Who’s Who” and “Best Lawyer” lists.

About Jackson Walker’s Environmental Practice

With our intimate regulatory, administrative and litigation experience, Jackson Walker is qualified to assist clients in a range of issues. We work with clients on a range of issues, from the filing of permit applications and other administrative matters to assessing site issues and evaluating the implications of environmental indemnities or remediation obligations.