Legislation will help state, nation fight climate change by becoming a leader in the effort to capture and store emissions of carbon dioxide, while boosting innovation
WILLIAMSPORT – State Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23) announced he will reintroduce legislation focused on several key issues critical to establishing the legal and regulatory framework for potential carbon dioxide capture, utilization and sequestration (CCUS) in Pennsylvania.
“This legislation is a proactive step to secure Pennsylvania’s future as a hub for carbon capture and sequestration,” Yaw said. “It’s a pragmatic solution to a problem that we all want to solve – reducing our carbon emissions without crippling the reliability of our existing power grid.”
As part of the legislative package, one of Yaw’s bills would direct the Commonwealth to apply for primary enforcement authority from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for carbon dioxide underground injection wells (referred to as Class VI wells). Several other states seeking to facilitate CCUS and its associated jobs and investment have already secured primacy, which is critical to streamlining and removing redundancies from the permitting process.
The Great Plains Institute, using data from a 2009 Department of Conservation and Natural Resources report, estimates the state could store about 2.4 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide underground. This is equivalent to the level of greenhouse gases emitted from 517 million gas-powered passenger vehicles annually, according to the EPA.
“Pennsylvania is uniquely qualified to develop a vast CCUS network, thanks to our robust energy industry and extensive geological formations,” Yaw said. “We should act now to establish a solid regulatory framework that will attract investment and development and economic opportunity for decades to come.”
For more state-related news and information, visit Senator Yaw’s website at www.SenatorGeneYaw.com or on Facebook and Twitter @SenatorGeneYaw.
CONTACT:
Matt Osenbach
(717) 787-3280