U.S. Representative Rick Boucher (D-VA), Chairman of the House Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee, recently introduced bipartisan federal legislation to advance the development and deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies. CCS is a method of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by capturing and injecting underground the carbon dioxide emitted from electricity generation plants that use fossil fuels.

Boucher is joined in the sponsorship of the bill by Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), Rep. John Murtha (D-PA), Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX), Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV), Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY), Rep. Jerry Costello (D-IL), Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), Rep. Jim Matheson (D-UT), Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA), Rep. Tim Holden (D-PA), Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN), Rep. Baron Hill (D-IN), Rep. Charlie Wilson (D-OH), and Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-OH).

The legislation would establish a $1 billion annual fund, derived from fees on the generation of electricity from coal, oil and natural gas. Grants from the fund will be awarded to large-scale projects advancing the commercial availability of CCS technology.

“Coal is America’s most abundant domestic fuel, and today, coal accounts for more than one-half of the fuel used for electricity generation,” Boucher said. “Given our large coal reserves, its lower cost in comparison with other fuels, and the inadequate availability of fuel alternatives, preservation of the ability of electric utilities to continue coal use is essential. The legislation introduced today addresses this clear need by enabling electric utilities that use coal to have the continued ability to do so when a mandatory program is implemented to control greenhouse gas emissions.”

According to Boucher, if severe emissions reduction requirements are imposed before the carbon capture and storage technologies are available, the result would be a rapid switch from coal to other fuels. Such fuel switching would significantly increase electricity prices to the detriment of both residential and industrial electricity consumers. Fuel switching from coal would most likely result in far greater uses of natural gas for electricity generation, severely stressing an already constrained natural gas supply and dramatically increasing natural gas prices.

“Today 58% of U.S. homes are heated with natural gas, and numerous industries are heavily reliant on it. If large scale switching by utilities from coal to natural gas occurs, tens of millions of Americans would experience deep economic pain, and many domestic industries would be dislocated. The early arrival of CCS is essential to prevent this economic disruption in a carbon constrained economy,” Boucher said.

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To find out more about Carbon Capture and Storage, visit the links here, here, and here.

And then tell us what you think of Rep. Boucher’s legislation. Are you for it or against it, and why? Let your voice be heard. The New River Voice is YOUR Voice for the Valley!