Democrats bet billions on carbon capture, but the government isn’t ready – POLITICO
The result, according to both environmental officials and carbon capture experts, is that many of the projects are likely to face either serious delays while waiting for safety assessments or worse be waved through with less than thorough scrutiny.
The EPA did not respond to questions about the safety of carbon storage and the size of the agencys program to monitor it.
Some climate activists whove long claimed that carbon capture is merely a way to perpetuate a fossil-fuel economy say the lack of regulatory apparatus is a sign of rushed decision-making. And they say it could put low-income residents and communities of color at risk, despite the Biden administrations pledges to address historical disparities in how environmental burdens are distributed.
For the most part leadership in both parties is aligned around trying to deploy as much [carbon capture] as possible, despite what the potential environmental justice impacts will be and despite considerable concerns about the technology and accountability, safety and security concerns, said Tyson Slocum, director of the energy program at the progressive consumer advocacy group Public Citizen.
Even government officials trying to get these projects to fruition are a little unsure about how this will play out given the lack of bodies behind the relevant desks.
Its tricky because this happened in a way that we werent super prepared for in a federal policy perspective, said Shuchi Talati, who until last April was chief of staff in the Energy Departments Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, which is handling billions of dollars for carbon capture grants and subsidies. I hesitate to call it a bottleneck. Its just going to take some time.
Funding a technology thats unproven at scale may be a massive gamble, though its one that only the U.S. government has the wherewithal to make, said Samantha Gross, who was director for international climate and clean energy at the Energy Departments Office of International Affairs during the Obama administration.
Theres some risk associated with the investment, but I think its a risk thats totally worth taking, said Gross, who now directs the Energy Security and Climate Initiative at the Brookings Institution. You want to take some risk thats the point. Its a technology that we need.
The money Congress approved is staggering. The bipartisan infrastructure law funded $6.5 billion for technology to capture carbon, pull it from the air or store it underground, another $3.5 billion for carbon capture demonstration projects and $2.1 billion to build pipelines to transport CO2. All that would go into an industry that research firm Allied Market Research estimates as having only $2.1 billion in global market capitalization.
Those are just the direct subsidies. Just as importantly, the Democrat-passed Inflation Reduction Act strengthened a key tax credit that expanded carbon captures viability across many sectors, including cement and steel.
The technology is advertised as being able to scrub carbon dioxide and other pollutants from industrial processes before they can reach the atmosphere and trap the heat raising the Earths temperature.
Carbon capture may be the only real way to cut emissions at heavy industry sites, where switching to renewable energy is not yet an option. But while the underlying technology has been used for years, it has yet to take off at a huge scale. Only 13 commercial carbon capture sites are in operation in the U.S., said Jessie Stolark, executive director of the Carbon Capture Coalition, a group of oil and gas, tech, environmental and policy groups that back the technology.
Read more from the original source:
Democrats bet billions on carbon capture, but the government isn't ready - POLITICO
- Don't count on a blue wave in midterms. Most Americans say Democrats are 'weak.' | Opinion - USA Today - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Senator Marshall: Its Time for Democrats to Come to Their Senses - Senator Roger Marshall (.gov) - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- E&E News: Why Trump and Democrats are wrong about rising electricity prices - POLITICO Pro - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Democrats aren't just 'caving' to the far left, they're 'bowing down' to them: Sen. Roger Marshall - Fox Business - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Opinion | Zohran Mamdani and the Democrats - The Wall Street Journal - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Crypto's Half-finished Legislative Agenda Teeters as CEOs Set Meeting With Democrats - CoinDesk - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- As the Shutdown Drags On, Democrats Talk With Crypto CEOs - Bloomberg.com - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Opinion: Democrats must stop the political games, end shutdown - The Detroit News - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Another week, more freefall of Democrats voter registrations - The Center Square - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Why Trump and Democrats are wrong about rising electricity prices - E&E News by POLITICO - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Democrats have an advertising advantage in this year's biggest elections - NBC News - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Democrats hold a key edge in the November elections: From the Politics Desk - NBC News - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- GOP federal candidates outraise Democrats in Iowa with one exception - TelegraphHerald.com - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- House Republicans Claim Democrats Tipped Their Communist Hand With Rallies - The Well News - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Oregon Democrats refuse to bend the knee as court sides with Trump on troops to Portland - OregonLive.com - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Open the government then we'll talk: Katie Britt calls on Democrats to stop 'playing politics' with government shutdown - Yellowhammer News - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Democrats might be doomed to a 2026 disappointment - The Hill - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Democrats rally at No Kings to protest Trump but many say they're also unhappy with their own party - NBC News - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Opinion | Prop. 50 doesn't guarantee Democrats five seats. They still have to win races across California - CalMatters - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- House Democrats start to close the fundraising gap - Politico - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Its 2025, and Democrats Are Still Running Against Trump - The New York Times - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- White House joins Bluesky, immediately roasts Democrats with sizzle reel of Trump's first 9 months - Fortune - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Democrats say Trump needs to be involved in shutdown talks. He's shown little interest in doing so - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Democrats' distrust of Trump keeps them from forming 'gang' to negotiate government shutdown - CNBC - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Thune to force Democrats to vote on paying the troops during the shutdown - The Hill - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Democrats are finally exposing Donald Trumps weakness - Salon.com - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Republicans and Democrats Cant Agree on Anything Except the AI Threat - National Review - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Fetterman criticizes fellow Democrats over shutdown: I follow country, then party - The Hill - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Setting Conditions: Does Retired Army Col. Marcus Jones Have What it Takes to Lead State Democrats to Success? - Arkansas Money & Politics - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- Democrats say Trump needs to be involved in shutdown talks. He's shown little interest in doing so - Stamford Advocate - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Democrats say Trump needs to be involved in shutdown talks. Hes shown little interest in doing so - WTOP - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Democrats Have One Brutal Path to Survival if the Supreme Court Kills the Voting Rights Act - Slate - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Thune says he offered Democrats a vote on Obamacare subsidies to end government shutdown - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Virginia Democrats continue strong fundraising trend ahead of election - WVIR - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- LEADER JEFFRIES: DEMOCRATS ARE NOT GOING TO BEND AND WERE NOT GOING TO BREAK BECAUSE WE ARE STANDING UP FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE Congressman Hakeem... - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Older Democrats are getting crushed by younger primary foes in the cash wars - Axios - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- The House Democrats who were outraised by primary challengers: From the Politics Desk - NBC News - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Senate Democrats, holding out for health care, ready to reject government funding bill for 10th time - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and... - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Speaker Johnson on Squawk Box: Senate Democrats are Playing Shameful Political Games with the Safety and Security of the American People - Congressman... - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- W.Va. Democrats' tour aims to reconnect with voters, gather input for future policies - WTOV - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Democrats Lay Out Damning Examples of ICEs Tactics in Chicago - NOTUS News of the United States - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Former FTC Chair Lina Khan Urges Democrats to Rethink Federal Agency Function at IOP Forum - The Harvard Crimson - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Democratic senators want investigation into Noem's TSA video that blamed Democrats for the shutdown - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Americans shouldn't be punished so Democrats can 'score cheap political points,' says White House official - Fox Business - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- What happens when airports refuse to play video of Kristi Noem blaming the shutdown on Democrats - CNN - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Dont Blame the Democrats for Trumps Revenge Tour - The Atlantic - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Multiple Texas airports are refusing to play video from DHS Noem blaming Democrats for government shutdown - The Texas Tribune - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Maryland, Virginia Democrats to Trump administration: Reopen the federal government - Maryland Matters - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Airports are refusing to play a Kristi Noem video blaming Democrats for the shutdown - NPR - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Assembly Democrats vote for GOP bills, voice objections in amendments - Wisconsin Examiner - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Democrats Are Playing Politics With Our Troops Pay - Representative Tom Cole | (.gov) - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- House Speaker Johnson says he wont negotiate with Democrats on the shutdown - CNN - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Republican Rep. Mike Lawler on his calls for Democrats to reopen the government - KOSU - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Several U.S. airports declining to play DHS video blaming Democrats for government shutdown - CBS News - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Leggat-Barr 28: Democrats cant win by playing it safe - The Brown Daily Herald - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Democrats threaten to see Trump team 'in court' over 'illegal' firings as shutdown battle escalates - Fox News - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Pelosi fired up as California is poised to boost Democrats in play for House - MSNBC News - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Maryland Democrats lead rally outside budget office in DC to end federal worker cuts - WYPR - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Democrats Senate Majority Hopes Hang on Three Candidates Older Than 65 - NOTUS News of the United States - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- The two words Democrats are avoiding in praising the Israel-Hamas deal - MSNBC News - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Democrats criticize Wisconsin State Senate for only meeting seven times since January - WEAU - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Democrats press Bondi over concerns DOJ is being weaponized to target Trumps foes - NPR - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Democrats can use the government shutdown to thwart Trump's authoritarianism - MSNBC News - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Dwelling on the 2024 Defeat Is a Waste of Time for Democrats - New York Magazine - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Vance says ACA credits fuel fraud as Democrats push for extension to end shutdown - Reuters - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Opinion | Jon Favreau on Where the Democrats Went Right - The New York Times - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Missouri Democrats have an opportunity to block a new congressional map. They say theyre largely on their own. - Politico - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Democrats refuse to fold over shutdown as Republican outrage builds - The Guardian - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- The Democrats Still May Not Understand What They're Dealing With - Politico - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Fetterman says Democrats sending 'wrong message' with government shutdown stance amid funding fight - Fox News - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Johnson says Democrats are to blame for looming lapse in military pay - The Hill - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Opinion: Democrats still have no idea what went wrong - Anchorage Daily News - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Democrats urge Yes on retention - Northeast Times - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Democrats have spent a record amount to win the New Jersey governors race. Why some insiders are still nervous. - Inquirer.com - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Trumps D.C. intervention prompts even other Democrats to call for its House delegate to step down - The Virginian-Pilot - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Video of Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for shutdown rolling out at TSA security checkpoints across the country - CNN - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Why Democrats Think Theyre Winning the Shutdown Fight - The Atlantic - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- John Thunes shutdown strategy: Wait for the Democrats to fold - The Washington Post - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- One big swing-state race highlights how Democrats are figuring out their path forward - NBC News - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- I hope Democrats learn from this shutdown. But we know that they won't. | Opinion - USA Today - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]