PA Senate approves carbon capture sequestration framework

On Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Senate approved legislation that would establish the framework for potential carbon dioxide capture, utilization and sequestration, Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Williamsport) said.

Senate Bill 831, sponsored by Yaw, is a step toward creating a new carbon capture economy in the state.

“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.”

Currently, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) claims authority over the process that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores. Yaw said the Great Plains Institute estimates Pennsylvania could store about 2.4 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide underground, the equivalent of the greenhouse gases emitted from 517 million gas-powered vehicles annually.

The bill now moves on to the House. Prior to its passage in the Senate, the bill received support from the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, the Pennsylvania State Building and Construction Trades Council, the Allegheny-Fayette County Labor Council, the Pittsburgh Regional Building Trades Council, the AFL-CIO, and numerous other labor groups and industry representatives.

“Carbon capture technology has the potential to create a significant number of good paying jobs in the construction industry while simultaneously creating family-sustaining permanent jobs for the citizens of our commonwealth,” Robert Bair, Pennsylvania State Building and Construction Trades Council president said.