Show notes
Prior to the end of 2019, the US government had devoted a miniscule $11.5M to direct air capture initiatives. But the tide is changing on the Hill. The Department of Energy (DOE) recently received its first ever dedicated carbon removal funding, and there are a number of bills in Congress promoting the advancement of negative-emissions technology.
Erin Burns is the Director of Policy and Ugbaad Kosar is the Senior Policy Advisor at Carbon180, a climate-focused NGO that partners with policymakers, scientists and businesses to advance solutions that transform carbon from a liability to an asset. On this episode of Carbon Removal Newsroom, Erin and Ugbaad join Ross to discuss the policy proposals involving carbon removal currently making their way through Congress.
Erin and Ugbaad walk us through the CLEAN Future Act, explaining what makes the bill important and what differentiates it from other climate legislation. They also address the House Republican climate package (which includes an extension of 45Q) and the SEA FUEL Act, a bill funding carbon capture by way of military vehicles. Listen in for insight around the current progress of the USE IT Act and learn about the potential for forthcoming carbon removal legislation—and funding—on the land side.
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Key Takeaways
[1:31] Why the CLEAN Future Act is important
- Biggest climate bill from committee since cap-and-trade
- Comprehensive look at decarbonizing energy sector
[3:52] The highlights of the CLEAN Future Act
- Federal agencies create National Climate Goals plan
- Establish National Climate Bank
- State-led climate plans
- New position to integrate carbon removal in DOE research efforts
- New direct air capture prize program
- Funding for commercial demonstration of carbon capture
- Federal program to promote use of low carbon construction materials
- Looks at building codes and retrofitting
- Environmental justice (empower community voices, public health concerns)
- Improve vehicle performance standards, push for cleaner fuels
[8:12] What differentiates the CLEAN Future Act from other climate bills
- Ambitious, comprehensive legislation with significant detail
- Overlapping ideas in other bills (carbon removal incorporated throughout)
[12:16] The increase in funding for carbon removal via appropriations
- First ever dedicated carbon removal funding at DOE
- $60M allocated for negative emissions technology
- Funds for basic R&D + demo support for direct air capture projects
[16:40] The House Republican climate package
- Sponsored by representative Schweikert of Arizona
- Extension for direct air capture portion of 45Q
- Increases value + makes tax credit permanent
[18:28] The details of the SEA FUEL Act of 2019
- Military vehicles capture ambient CO2 and turn into fuel
- Opus 12 contract with Air Force to build aircraft carriers
[20:36] The progress around the USE IT Act
- Gone through Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
- Hearing in House brought up questions around R&D and infrastructure
- Influence in driving other pieces of legislation
[21:58] The potential for carbon removal policy on the land side
- Interest and engagement in agriculture, forestry and ocean
- Understand how USDA can support farmers to implement
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Resources
CLEAN Future Act Press Release
Green New Deal
USE IT Act
Fossil Energy Research and Development Act
EFFECT Act
Smith-Luján Clean Energy Standards Bill
National Academies Study on Negative Emissions Technologies
Energy Futures Initiative
Republican Climate Plan
Klaus Lackner
SEA FUEL Act
Opus 12
Jane Zelikova
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