Coal gasification is a process whereby a hydrocarbon feedstock (coal) is converted into gaseous components by applying heat under pressure in the presence of steam. Rather than burning, most of the carbon-containing feedstock is broken apart by chemical reactions that produce "syngas." Syngas is primarily hydrogen and carbon monoxide, but the exact composition can vary. In Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) systems, the syngas is cleaned and burned as fuel in a combustion turbine which then drives an electric generator. Exhaust heat from the combustion turbine is recovered and used to create steam for a steam turbine-generator. The use of these two types of turbines in combination is one reason why gasification-based power systems can achieve high power generation efficiencies. Currently, commercially available gasification-based systems can operate at around 40% efficiencies. Syngas, however, emits more greenhouse gases than natural gas, and almost twice as much carbon as a coal plant. Coal gasification is also water-intensive. According to the Gasification and Syngas Technologies Council, a trade association, there are globally 272 operating gasification plants with 686 gasifiers and 74 plants with 238 gasifiers under construction. Most of them use coal as feedstock. As of 2017 large scale expansion of the coal gasification industry was occurring only in China where local governments and energy companies promote the industry for the sake of jobs and a market for coal. The central government is aware of the conflict with environmental goals. For the most part the plants are located in remote coal rich areas. In addition to producing a great deal of carbon dioxide the plants use a great deal of water in areas where water is scarce. Wabash River IGCC Bituminous coal gasification to produce electricity The Wabash River Coal Gasification Repowering Project was a demonstration of advanced integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) technology, a joint venture between the Wabash River Coal Gasification Project Joint Venture and the U.S. Department of Energy. The term “repowering” refers to the IGCC plant’s replacing a dated conventional pulverized coal power plant. Construction began in July 1993 near West Terre Haute, Indiana, followed by operational startup in November 1995. The project demonstration phase was completed and turned over for commercial operation in December 1999. The gasification technology utilized at Wabash River IGCC was developed originally by Dow Chemical, and was subsequently transferred to Destec, a partially held subsidiary of Dow Chemical. The technology was later acquired by