Efforts to put carbon dioxide underground face less support in Trump’s second term

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Associated Press or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: The future of carbon capture and storage (CCS) in the U.S. faces uncertainty under President Donald Trump, as his administration prioritizes fossil fuel expansion over climate policies
• His new energy secretary, Chris Wright, has not mentioned carbon capture in policy plans, raising concerns about reduced federal support
• However, some industry analysts believe CCS demand will persist due to state-level climate goals

🔭 The context: Under Joe Biden, carbon capture received $12 billion in tax incentives and funding through the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, spurring 270 CCS projects
• Republican-led states, including Wyoming, North Dakota, and Louisiana, have adopted their own CCS regulations to manage underground CO₂ storage
• Despite support from some energy sectors, conservative groups argue CCS is costly and an unnecessary subsidy for fossil fuel companies

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: CCS technology is a key tool for reducing CO₂ emissions from power plants and industrial facilities
• A federal rollback on CCS incentives could slow progress on decarbonization, making it harder to meet U.S. and global climate targets
• Some environmental groups oppose CCS, fearing it serves as a justification for continued fossil fuel use rather than transitioning to renewables

⏭️ What's next: With Republicans controlling the White House and Congress, they may attempt to repeal parts of the Inflation Reduction Act, threatening CCS funding
• However, industry advocates warn that without CCS, U.S. industries could lose competitiveness in global markets that are demanding lower-carbon solutions
• Meanwhile, state policies and private investment may help sustain carbon capture efforts despite federal policy shifts

💬 One quote: “In order for these American industries to really remain competitive… their businesses really depend on investing in innovative solutions like carbon management.” — Madelyn Morrison, Carbon Capture Coalition

📈 One stat: The Petra Nova facility in Texas remains the only U.S. power plant capturing and storing CO₂ at a commercial scale

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