“We can eliminate excess carbon in the atmosphere without eliminating jobs in our communities.”

WASHINGTON – Today, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources passed the bipartisan Carbon Dioxide Capture Technology Act (S.2744).  U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), the sponsor of S.2744, delivered the following statement regarding the passage of his bill:

“Americans have made it clear that they want innovative solutions to address our environmental problems. We can eliminate excess carbon in the atmosphere without eliminating jobs in our communities. Congress should pass S.2744 and other common-sense legislation that will encourage innovation and investment into new technology. Thursday’s committee approval is an important step that will move our bill forward.”

Background:

The Carbon Dioxide Capture Technology Act, S.2744, will establish an award system for scientists and researchers. 

Historically, prizes have been used to spur all types of technological development to solve problems. For example, Charles Lindbergh was competing for the Orteig Prize, when he flew in the Spirit of St. Louis, non-stop from New York to Paris in 1927.

The program would be run by the Department of Energy, with help from an Advisory Board, comprised of climate scientists, physicists, chemists, engineers, business managers and economists.

Awards will go to public and private entities that design technology to remove and permanently sequester carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere. Once the technology is developed, the United States would share the intellectual property rights with the inventor.

Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, also sponsored the bill.