Carbon Capture Coalition Hails Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Approval of USE IT Act

Bipartisan Legislation Would Boost Carbon Capture Development and Deployment Nationwide

Washington, D.C. –  The Carbon Capture Coalition today commended the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee for approving S.2602, the Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies (USE IT) Act.

The Act seeks to foster continued development and deployment of carbon capture by authorizing the EPA Administrator to coordinate with the Secretary of Energy on furthering research on carbon utilization technologies and direct air capture. It would also support collaboration between federal, state, and non-governmental interests to facilitate the planning and construction of pipeline systems to transport CO2 for ultimate storage or use.

The legislation was introduced in April by Committee Chairman John Barrasso (R-WY) and a bipartisan group of Senators including Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and Committee members Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). Further negotiations with Committee Ranking Member Tom Carper (D-DE) and Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) produced a slightly amended version that was introduced as a substitute and passed in Committee today.

“The USE IT Act builds on the recent landmark reform of the federal 45Q tax credit to spur deployment of carbon capture technology,” said Brad Crabtree, co-director of the Coalition and Great Plains Institute Vice President for Fossil Energy. “This legislation provides a critical next step in supporting innovation and investment in future capture technologies and the development of CO2 pipeline infrastructure.”

Jeffrey Bobeck, co-director of the Coalition and Energy Policy Director at the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) said, “Chairman Barrasso and Ranking Member Carper have demonstrated extraordinary legislative leadership in coming together on the USE IT bill. The Coalition and its members are hopeful that the Senate leadership recognizes this spirit of bipartisan action and finds room on the calendar for full Senate consideration of the bill yet this year.”

Carbon Capture Coalition participants representing energy advocacy groups, organized labor and the coal industry expressed support for the legislation. Their statements follow below.

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The Carbon Capture Coalition is a diverse group of energy, industrial and technology companies, labor unions and environmental, clean energy and agricultural organizations advocating for the adoption of carbon capture technologies. 

SUPPORTIVE STATEMENTS FROM COALITION PARTICIPANTS

“This is a significant sequel to the groundbreaking 45Q incentive fix. In passing this bill, EPW has taken another step toward establishing the U.S. as a major global player in commercializing carbon capture technologies.” – Rich Powell, Executive Director, ClearPath Action

“In promoting the development of the CO2 pipeline infrastructure needed to move large-scale carbon capture forward, as well as research into beneficial uses for CO2, we see the USE IT Act as the logical further development of the important incentive for carbon capture, utilization, and storage represented by the 45Q tax credit.” – Colin Marshall, CEO, Cloud Peak Energy

“Carbon capture is a key climate technology that many models show will be necessary to meet emissions targets. The United States should continue to support the development and deployment of the full range of carbon capture technologies – from direct air capture to industrial emissions to carbon use. The USE IT Act builds on the recent passage of the FUTURE Act to get us even closer to the level of deployment we’ll need to meet climate goals.” – Josh Freed, Vice President for Clean Energy, Third Way

“The Utility Workers Union of America applauds the bipartisan work of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in moving the USE IT Act one step closer to becoming law. In seeking to facilitate the build-out of carbon dioxide pipelines and supporting research into carbon dioxide capture and utilization, the USE IT Act promotes cutting edge technology, enabling the creation of entirely new energy systems that will sustain family-supporting jobs and healthy communities for decades to come.” – Mike Langford, National President, Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO

For more information, contact:
Ben Finzel, 202-277-6286
[email protected]