DOE giving $575 million in carbon capture grants

WASHINGTON — The Energy Department is awarding $575 million for carbon capture research-and-development projects in 15 states.

The experimental technique involves storing carbon dioxide emissions from coal plants and other sources underground, in an attempt to reduce pollution blamed for contributing to global warming.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu calls the money a "major step" in efforts to reduce carbon dioxide from industrial plants. It's being funded from the economic stimulus law.

President Barack Obama wants a cost-effective deployment of carbon capture and storage within 10 years — despite questions about the technology and feasibility of the technique.