Legislation would create regulation for carbon dioxide capture projects

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Legislation soon to be introduced in the state Senate would establish the legal and regulatory framework for potential carbon dioxide capture and sequestration (CCS) projects in Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Geologic Storage of Carbon Dioxide Act would establish legislative intent to facilitate carbon capture in Pennsylvania; designate property rights around storage sites in deep geologic formations; assign state regulatory authority to CCS facilities in Pennsylvania; specify the regulatory and permitting process within the existing federal structure; and create a cash fund sustaining regulatory operations, minimizing impact to taxpayers.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency currently holds the regulatory authority over carbon capture and sequestration projects. By creating a Pennsylvania-specific statute, the state can facilitate further studies of CCS feasibility within its borders.

CCS, also called carbon capture, utilization, and storage, is the process of capturing carbon dioxide emissions from sources such as coal-fired power plants and then either reusing or storing emissions to prevent them from entering the atmosphere.

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has engaged in carbon capture utilization and storage for nearly 20 years. The department’s Bureau of Geological Survey has also been conducting CCS studies.

State Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Bradford) is seeking co-sponsors for the bill.