WASHINGTON, DC –Today, at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) spoke in favor of two important carbon sequestration bills: the Carbon Dioxide Capture Technology Act (S. 757) and the DOE Carbon Capture and Sequestration Program Amendments Act of 2011 (S. 699).  Both bills were recently re-introduced by Barrasso and Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM). 

The Carbon Dioxide Capture Technology (S. 757)

“My bill takes a fresh approach to the issue of excess carbon dioxide.  It would create a prize system for developing technology that directly removes CO2 from the atmosphere.  Rather than focusing on solutions that impose costly regulations or taxes, this bill focuses solely on innovation.”

S. 757 creates a prize system to encourage innovative technologies that will remove excess carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere and permanently sequester it.

The DOE Carbon Capture and Sequestration Program Amendments Act of 2011 (S. 699)

“Uncertainty over liability is a major impediment to CCS deployment.  This bill will address that question for the first 10 projects.  It is an important step.

“When it comes to carbon sequestration issues, the State of Wyoming is a national leader.  The Wyoming legislature enacted laws creating the legal framework for carbon sequestration.  The Wyoming State Geological Survey has identified and characterized sequestration sites in the state.

“The University of Wyoming is partnering with the private sector to develop innovative technologies. Wyoming has a long history as an energy producing state.

“We can use this knowledge and experience to make carbon sequestration a reality. But there are steps that the federal government must take first.  This includes addressing liability.”

S. 699 establishes a national indemnity program through the Department of Energy for up to 10 commercial?scale carbon capture and sequestration projects to ensure this energy technology is fully realized for the future.

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