The federal deputy assistant secretary for clean coal and carbon management says he believes fossil fuels will be a part of the nation’s energy mix for years to come.
David Mohler spoke to the annual “Mid-America Regulatory Conference” in Bismarck. He was formerly with Duke Energy.
In an interview, Mohler said that would include all forms of carbon-based fuels, including coal.
"I've been in the business long enough now to see cycles," Mohler said. "Today, everyone's building natural gas for electricity generation, because natural gas is so cheap."
Mohler says he recalls a time when natural gas was not so cheap.
"I've seen natural gas all the way from $1 to $16 per mmbtu," Mohler said. "That's a hell of a swing."
Mohler said it's an issue of reliability and resilence.
"I think we need a portfolio of energy sources," Mohler said. "We should not gravitate all the way to a single source."
Mohler said carbon capture and sequestration will be an essential part of using fossil fuels going forward. He said in North Dakota, there are opportunities to use the captured carbon.
"Your ability to do it profitably depends on the prices of the commodities," Mohler said. "That's something that has been difficult over the last several years."
The conference runs through Wednesday.
