site.btaAmerican Experts Suggest Alternative Uses for Maritsa East Mines Coal

March 13 (BTA) - Experts from the US
 Department of Energy have suggested alternative uses for coal
from the Maritsa East Mines, Bulgaria's largest state-owned coal
 mining company said on Friday. The experts provided information
 on R&D concerning coal-based energy systems and carbon capture
and storage systems.

The meeting in Radnevo, Stara Zagora Region, was hosted by
Stelian Koev, the company's Director of Economy and Finances,
and the managers of the three mines. The US delegation consisted
 of Angelos Kokkinos, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for
Clean Coal and Carbon Management Office of Fossil Energy at the
Department of Energy, James Adams of the US State Department and
 Energy Advisor Stratos Tavoulareas. They were accompanied by
staff members of the US Mission to Bulgaria.

The Bulgarian and American experts concurred on the possibility
of partnership for keeping the thermal power plants in Bulgaria
in operation.

Earlier this week the experts met with Energy Minister
Temenouzhka Petkova and her team in Sofia to discuss ways to
improve air quality in Bulgaria by using new technology.

The meetings in Sofia and Radnevo are part of the high-level
Strategic Dialogue, a forum for consultation and cooperation on
global, regional, and bilateral issues of mutual interest to
both countries. RY/DD