U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., have announced Aug. 25 that the Department of Energy will be awarding nearly $250,000 to West Virginia State University to fund research into environmentally sound coal-fired power plant wastewater treatment.

With the $249,999 award, the West Virginia State University Research and Development Corp., based in Institute, West Virginia, will work to find a “technically feasible and cost-effective process for designing photosynthetic organisms capable of sequestering selenium and nitrates from flue gas desulfurization (FGD) wastewater,” according to the senators’ news release.

The results of this project will assist in maximizing the sequestration of selenium and nitrates in biomass, which would lower the need for FGD wastewater remediation, reduce the amount of freshwater used by power plants and enhance agricultural production.

The senators noted that this technology is “key to ensuring the nation can continue to rely on traditional resources for clean, secure, and affordable energy while enhancing environmental protection.”

“I am glad this funding will support cutting edge research at West Virginia State University,” Manchin stated. “Enhancing research opportunities at our colleges and universities will open doors for our students. This is crucial for West Virginia to remain competitive in the global marketplace and I applaud WVSU for their dedication to clean coal technologies and energy security.”

“Research and development of clean coal technologies is important not only to the future of coal, but also to the opportunities that are available for West Virginia students,” Capito added. “Coal remains the lifeblood of West Virginia’s energy economy, and this grant will help us continue to grow and strengthen this important sector.”