GILLETTE -- State officials will ask FutureGen Industrial Alliance to locate the world's first zero-emissions coal-fueled power plant somewhere in the Powder River Basin in northeast Wyoming.

Wyoming is among nine states that recently filed "notices of intent" with the organization, expressing plans to submit formal site locations by the May 4 deadline.

FutureGen will combine several technologies, including coal gasification and carbon dioxide sequestration, which fits an effort already under way in Wyoming to use CO2 in enhanced oil recovery.

Wyoming's FutureGen effort is headed by Rob Hurless, energy and telecommunications adviser to Gov. Dave Freudenthal. Hurless said site specifications -- elevation in particular -- for the $1 billion project favor other regions of the United States that are also competing to land FutureGen.

"I think, realistically, this is a long shot. But we're going to take it," Hurless said on Friday.

Despite the odds, Hurless said, the state is making a good-faith effort in its application because much of the work will carry forward when it comes time to apply for similar projects. For example, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 calls for a clean-coal demonstration plant to be located at an elevation of 4,000 feet or higher, and a feedstock coal of lower heating value.

Those specifications favor Wyoming.

"That's the one we think we have a much better chance at," Hurless said. "The competition will be among fewer states, and we think we have a very good chance in that competition."

Frederick Palmer, external relations committee chairman for FutureGen Industrial Alliance, said the nine states that have filed notices of intent are spread throughout the United States.

"I think everybody who wants one ought to have one," Palmer said in a phone interview.

Although only one state will land FutureGen, Palmer agreed that the others that apply will eventually see some clean-coal projects in the future.

"This is not a zero-sum game," Palmer said. "The technology is being developed for use throughout the world. I think the expressions of interest we've received tell us the need for coal-based zero-emissions technology is enormous."

Hurless said one site specification for the FutureGen plant is a location that would place the plant at an elevation of 5,000 feet above sea level or lower, including the smokestack. That specification knocked out about half of Wyoming. Areas of the Powder River Basin generally range from 4,000 feet to 6,000 feet.

Hurless said the Powder River Basin offers a bountiful coal feedstock and many opportunities for CO2 sequestration and enhanced oil recovery, which is already under way in the Salt Creek Field near Midwest.

FutureGen Alliance is a partnership of some of the world's largest coal and electric utilities, including Foundation Coal, Kennecott Energy and Peabody Energy -- all of which operate coal mines in the Powder River Basin. Those companies, and others, are contributing up to $250 million to help fund the project. The U.S. Department of Energy will help with the design, construction and operation of the plant.

The U.S. government and other nations -- most recently India -- plan to share the remaining $700 million cost, according to FutureGen.

Energy reporter Dustin Bleizeffer can be reached at (307) 682-3388 or dustin.bleizeffer@casperstartribune.net.