Frequently Asked Questions

Who Is NextGen?
The NextGen Energy Council (NextGen) is a non-profit collaborative of industry, Western and Great Plains Governors, academic institutions, financial leaders, conservation groups and others involved in the development and deployment of advanced clean-coal technologies.

What Is NextGen’s Mission Statement?
The NextGen Energy Council (NEC) supports continuing efforts to improve the efficiency and environmental performance of all advanced energy technologies, with these ultimate goals:

1. Educating fellow citizens of the need for balanced energy policies, that take into account environmental, economic and energy factors;
    
2. Maintaining and expanding consumer access to reliable, affordable and diverse energy resources;  
    
3. Supporting the development and deployment of advanced coal technologies toward an ultimate goad of near-zero emissions at a competitive cost of electricity;
    
4. Promoting the use of America's supply of domestically-produced energy and reducing our reliance on foreign energy;
    
5. Encouraging partnerships and investment incentives to advance technology development and deployment; and
    
6. Furthering advanced energy technologies to provide for increased economic growth, family incomes and job creation across the United States. 

What Does NextGen Do?
NextGen focuses on getting "steel in the ground" on new clean energy projects.  Specifically, it is working to produce these deliverables:

• Timely and unbiased analyses that shed light on the promise, realities, costs and risks of advanced coal technology development and deployment.
• Facilitation of partnerships to promote specific advanced coal and fossil-renewable hybrid power projects.
• Encouraging increased investment in advanced coal technologies across the west.
• A news media education campaign to ensure that news media representatives understand the facts behind the promise, realities and costs of advanced clean energy technology development.
• A public education campaign to ensure that policymakers, opinion leaders and the general public understand the facts behind the promise, realities and costs of clean energy technology development.
• A “Technology Experts Team” of scientists, technology developers, financial experts and others who can assist elected officials and others in energy policy development.

What Are NextGen’s Major Initiatives?
The NextGen is active across a wide range of initiatives.  Below are some of our most important current and planned activities.

1. Analysis:  “The Near-Zero-Emission Coal Technology Roadmap For The West”
2. Analysis:  “Strategies For Managing The Costs And Risks Associated With Development and Deployment of Advanced Coal Power Plants With CO2 Capture & Sequestration”
3. Analysis:  “Options For Limiting Legal Liability Associated With CO2 Sequestration”
4. Analysis:  “Clean Energy Technologies:  Quantifying The True Costs To Consumers And How To Minimize Them”
5. Western/Southern/Great Plains Gubernatorial Coalition To Promote Advanced Fossil Technologies
6. Coal-To-Liquids Fact-Finding Tours For Elected Officials
7. Coal-To-Liquids Technology Field Workshops
8. CO2 Pipeline Infrastructure Initiative
9. Initiative:  Coal Refining And Biomass Blending As A CO2 Reduction Strategy
10. Technology Educational Team
11. Develop and Promote Incentives For Enhanced CO2 Utilization

Is NextGen A For-Profit Or Non-Profit Organization?
The NextGen Energy Council is seeking federal tax exempt status as a public charity pursuant to Section 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  NextGen will notify each donor immediately upon the IRS' decision on our tax status.  When the application for exemption is approved, the tax exempt status of NextGen will be effective to the date NextGen was incorporated (May 22, 2006).  In the meantime, if you have questions or comments, please contact Jim Sims at 303-577-4611.

How is NextGen Governed?
The bylaws of the NextGen Energy Council establish various classes of membership and is open to for-profit and non-profit organizations and individuals.  Three classes of membership allow for voting rights on the Board of Directors, and two classes of membership do not. 

NextGen's Executive Committee includes a Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary/Treasurer, who preside over all meetings of the Board and perform various duties outlined in NextGen's bylaws. 

How Does NextGen Work With Elected Officials?
NextGen is working to deliver information to the Western Governors Association (WGA) at the request of its 2007 Chair and Vice Chair, Governors David Freudenthal (D-WY) and Jon M. Huntsman, Jr.  (R-UT).  In a January 12, 2007 letter from Governor Freudenthal, WGA expressed its support for NextGen’s efforts as they relate to the recommendations in WGA’s Clean and Diversified Energy Initiative.  Expressing support for “continuing efforts to improve the efficiency and environmental performance of all advanced coal technologies, with the ultimate goal of achieving near zero emissions at a competitive cost of electricity,” NextGen is working to make clean-coal technologies a reality.  Click here to see the full text of the Governor's letter:   http://www.nextgenenergy.org/Library/tabid/649/Default.aspx

How Do I Volunteer To Serve On NextGen’s Advisory Committees?
Start by going here:  http://www.nextgenenergy.org/GetInvolved/tabid/760/Default.aspx

How Do I Stay in Touch With NextGen’s Activities?
Start by going here:  http://www.nextgenenergy.org/GetInvolved/tabid/760/Default.aspx

How Do I Contact NextGen?
NextGen Energy Council
350 Indiana Street, Suite 640
Golden, CO 80401
Phone: 303-577-4611
Fax: 303-496-0334
Email: info@nextgenenergy.org