The Pennsylvania legislature has passed a bill aimed at attracting carbon capture projects and facilitating federally funded hydrogen hubs in the state, despite concerns over the unproven nature of the technology. The bill, authored by Republicans, empowers the Department of Environmental Protection to establish regulations for underground wells that store carbon dioxide, a key element of carbon capture and removal technology seen as a method to combat climate change.
Opponents of the bill argue that carbon capture is experimental, costly compared to other climate change mitigation methods such as renewable energy, and could prolong the lifespan of the fossil fuel industry. Currently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency handles permitting for carbon storage wells in most states, with proponents of state-controlled permitting suggesting it will expedite project approvals crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Advocates believe that attracting carbon capture projects to Pennsylvania is vital for the development of two hydrogen hubs recently designated by the Biden administration. These hubs are part of a $7 billion federal initiative aimed at advancing the production of hydrogen fuel, aligning with President Joe Biden’s environmental agenda to transition away from fossil fuels towards cleaner alternatives.
While the Biden administration has increased tax incentives for carbon capture project developers and issued substantial grants to support the technology’s growth, the process has seen a surge in permit applications without a proportional increase in operational projects or approved wells thus far.
