WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) is laying the foundation to ensure the long-term viability of coal.

“Creating the legal framework for carbon storage is a crucial component for promoting America’s energy security. We need to protect our environment and ensure our state’s largest fossil fuel resource remains a part of our nation’s electricity supply,” Barrasso said. “The bill will help provide certainty for private companies looking to invest in carbon storage.”

Barrasso is introducing a bill which clarifies that pore space below federal lands belongs to the federal government.

“This legal framework is crucial to make carbon storage a reality. Wyoming is leading the way. It’s time for the federal government to follow suit,” Barrasso said.

“Pore space” refers to below surface areas where carbon could be stored. The bill is modeled after Wyoming legislation and lays the groundwork for the long-term underground storage of carbon.

“Determining pore space ownership is essential for carbon storage projects to move forward.  This issue is particularly significant for Western States, where so much of the land is federal.” 

“One of the keys to American energy independence and significantly reducing greenhouse emissions lies with advancing carbon storage. This bill is an important step in making American energy clean, affordable and reliable,” Barrasso said.