Senate Bill 831, legislation that would establish the legal and regulatory framework for potential carbon dioxide capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS) in Pennsylvania awaits Gov. Josh Shapiro’s signature.
Carbon dioxide capture, utilization, and sequestration is a process which removes carbon dioxide that industrial sites emitted into the atmosphere for reuse or storage underground.
Under current law, the U.S. Federal Environmental Protection Agency is the only agency with the authority for CCUS.
By implanting its own system, Pennsylvania could store an estimated 2.4 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide underground, according to the Great Plains Institute using data from a 2009 Department of Conservation and Natural Resources report. This is equivalent greenhouse gases of 517 million gas-powered passenger vehicles annually.
“This legislation is a proactive step to secure Pennsylvania’s future as a hub for carbon capture and sequestration,” state Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Bradford), who sponsored the bill, 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.”
The bill has the support of the AFL-CIO, the Allegheny-Fayette County Labor Council, the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, the Pennsylvania State Building and Construction Trades Council, the Pittsburgh Regional Building Trades Council, and other organizations.