Briefing examines carbon dioxide management technologies

State Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Bradford County) held an informational briefing on March 10 on deploying and utilizing carbon dioxide management technologies.

Yaw serves as the majority chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

Carbon capture, utilization and storage, also called carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration, works by capturing carbon dioxide emissions from the source, such as coal-fired power plants, and stores or reuses it to prevent it from entering the atmosphere.
Deep saline reservoirs, unmineable coal seams, and oil and gas reservoirs are types of carbon dioxide storage in geologic formations.

“Carbon capture and storage is broadly recognized as having the potential to play a key role in decarbonizing many industry sectors here in Pennsylvania and across the globe,” Yaw said. “The committee briefing allowed for the review of the technology, as well as the review of costs associated with the capture, transport, and storage of carbon dioxide.”

Speakers included Dr. Brian Anderson, National Energy Technology Laboratory director; Perry Babb, KeyState Natural Gas Synthesis chairman and CEO; Dr. Gale C. Blackmer, Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey director, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; Denise Brinley, Pennsylvania Office of Energy executive director, Department of Community and Economic Development; and Jacquie Fidler, Consol Energy Environmental and Sustainability vice president.