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Carbon Dioxide Removal Industry Urges U.S. Regulation as Sector Expands Rapidly
Carbon Dioxide Removal Industry Calls for U.S. Regulation Amid Rapid Growth
The burgeoning carbon dioxide removal industry is urging the U.S. government to implement regulations, citing the need for transparency and confidence in the sector. This call comes as the industry experiences a significant influx of federal funding and private investment.
A recent report by the Carbon Removal Alliance, which includes industry players like Heirloom and Climeworks, outlines recommendations for improving monitoring, reporting, and verification in the sector. Currently, U.S. regulations focus solely on safety aspects, leaving a gap in climate impact verification.
Giana Amador, a representative of the alliance, emphasized the importance of “climate receipts” to verify carbon removal claims. The lack of regulation has led to challenges in demonstrating climate impact and defining what constitutes carbon removal, particularly for popular technologies like direct air capture.
The industry has received substantial financial backing from the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These funds are supporting projects such as the development of Regional Direct Air Capture Hubs, with planned facilities in Texas and Louisiana.
However, the sector faces criticism over cost and scalability issues. Some experts, like Gernot Wagner, warn of a potential “moral hazard” where carbon removal technologies might be misused by the oil and gas industry.
Despite these concerns, the industry continues to evolve. Occidental Petroleum recently acquired Carbon Engineering Ltd, with CEO Vicki Hollub expressing plans for global deployment of the technology.
Opinions on carbon removal as a climate solution remain divided. Jonathan Foley expresses skepticism about its effectiveness and concerns over public spending on expensive technologies. Katharine Hayhoe calls for standards and diverse climate strategies.
Mark Z. Jacobson opposes carbon removal technologies altogether, arguing they may indirectly increase atmospheric carbon dioxide and raise concerns about renewable energy usage.
As the debate continues, experts stress the need for comprehensive strategies in addressing climate change and the importance of prioritizing effective and efficient solutions.