WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) applauded the announcement today by President Obama to continue promoting new technology that can create new jobs in Pennsylvania and promote energy independence. The newly announced Interagency Task Force on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) will help coordinate the rapid development and deployment of CCS in the race to make the U.S. the world leader in this technology.
“Through innovation and new technology we have the potential to create jobs, increase our energy independence and reduce global warming pollution,” said Senator Casey. “Pennsylvania is uniquely positioned to benefit from the development, deployment and export of CCS technology. This technology can not only be deployed in the U.S., we also have the potential to create a new export market.”
The Task Force will coordinate efforts of federal government agencies and develop a plan within 180 days to have five to ten commercial demonstration projects operable by 2016. It will also address incentives to adopt CCS and all potential barriers to deployment. For more information, please click HERE.
Senator Casey has been a strong supporter of CCS technology. He has taken a number of steps to help pave the way for investment and development of CCS.
Senator Casey introduced the bipartisan Carbon Storage Stewardship Trust Fund Act with Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY) to help remove a major barrier to private investment in CCS. The bill would create a program for managing the financial risk or liability of the long-term storage of CO2. It further provides a framework for how legal and financial responsibilities for commercial CCS operations will be addressed, while incentivizing industry to manage and reduce risk by deploying CCS in the safest possible manner.
Sen. Casey has also introduced legislation that would increase funding for the Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory near Pittsburgh to accelerate the research and development of CCS technology.
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