Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS)

Carbon Capture, Use, and Storage

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) are new technologies designed to dispose of climate-warming emissions that come from burning carbon-based fuels like coal, natural gas, or gasoline. The new CCS industry is entirely built on federal subsidies, and companies are already trying to get special treatment. Their goals are to limit their liability from this expensive technology as much as possible to increase the profits they make off of the American taxpayer.

Texas CCUS Map (vApr2021)
Map Source: Baker Institute

New Carbon Capture and Storage Resource Hub for Texas Communities

A new educational and empowerment tool for Texas communities facing carbon capture and storage (CCS) infrastructure buildout is now available. The tool’s ArcGIS maps allow users to visualize where legacy wells, drinking water resources, and hazardous pipelines are located, as well as where historic incidents have occurred. The tool also features stories of CCS projects in the Permian Basin and along the Gulf Coast, and includes additional information on the history of CCS buildout and ways to take action to prevent CCS projects from jeopardizing our communities and our environment.

Access the tool here

The 2023 legislative session introduced two “regulatory frameworks” that included no regulation at all:

 

SB 2107 would have transferred liability of carbon dioxide injection wells to the Railroad Commission of Texas within 10 years of site closure. Texas doesn’t transfer liability to the state for any other industry. This type of liability transfer would allow companies to build their facilities to be “just good enough” to last about 10 years after site closure, but not to stand the test of time. Injection wells must be designed to protect groundwater in perpetuity.

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HB 4557 would have made it very difficult for someone injured by a carbon capture facility, carbon pipeline, or carbon dioxide injection well to make any claims for “non-economic damages” which include loss of consortium, disfigurement, physical impairment and more. People who have been impacted by CO2 pipeline explosions in other states have experienced loss of consortium and physical impairments.

Read the full Legislative Briefing here.

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Read about our 15 CCUS policy proposals that community members and advocates can demand for public health, safety, and accountability.