In the last few years the PA Environmental Council has convened stakeholders and initiated conversations surrounding carbon capture, utilization and storage in Pennsylvania.

This summer, PEC worked with the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) to organize a panel discussion on carbon capture.

Most recently, PEC created an interactive story map to help Pennsylvanians better understand the background, advantages, and potential challenges associated with CCUS.

Energy production is essential to Pennsylvania’s economy. However, Pennsylvania also emits a significant amount of greenhouse gases annually, and the vast majority of these emissions are related to energy production or consumption.

In 2017, production and consumption of energy accounted for nearly 90 percent of Pennsylvania’s approximately 263 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, according to the Department of Environmental Protection.

PEC has spent years researching paths to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Pennsylvania, and recognizes that the most effective approach will likely utilize a diversity of strategies.

These include linking with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) carbon market, adopting a Clean Energy Standard (CES), promoting energy efficiency, and supporting the development of zero-carbon energy sources.

As the state moves closer to joining RGGI and implementing a carbon pricing system for electricity production – which will unlock new revenues to be invested in clean-energy innovation – it’s more important than ever to explore the full range of strategies that will empower Pennsylvania to reach its carbon-reduction goals.

In addition to carbon pricing and investment in renewables, carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) can be a useful tool in the transition to a more sustainable energy future and the shift away from fossil fuels.

This approach captures carbon dioxide from a point source and either injects it deep underground, where it can be stored long-term, or repurposes it.

Click Here to view the story map. 

Click Here to learn more about PEC’s work on deep decarbonization.

[Note: In February, Sen. Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) announced he would be introducing legislation to create a new Clean Energy Standard with carbon capture as an important part of a new Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard.  So far the bills have not been introduced.  Read more here.

[Act 129 of 2008 directed the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to study the issue of carbon capture and underground storage of carbon dioxide.  A series of reports were produced on geological carbon sequestration opportunities in Pennsylvania, assessment of risk, legal issues and insurance and viability of a large-scale carbon capture and sequestration network in the state.

[The reports found there would need to be several significant changes in law to make large-scale carbon capture and sequestration feasible in the Commonwealth.

[Click Here for more on how DCNR is addressing Climate Change on Public Lands.]

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Environmental Council website, visit the PEC Blog, PEC Bill/Regulation Tracker, follow PEC on Twitter or Like PEC on Facebook.  Visit PEC’s Audio Room for the latest podcasts.  Click Here to receive regular updates from PEC.

Resource Link:

PEC: Energy And Climate: A Policy Pathway Forward For Pennsylvania

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[Posted: Sept. 4, 2020]

9/7/2020