The surprising climate commitments of Trump’s new ‘energy czar’

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

🗞️ Driving the news: Doug Burgum, North Dakota's former governor and President-elect Trump's newly appointed "energy czar," is an advocate of carbon capture
• While championing fossil fuels, Burgum committed to making North Dakota carbon neutral by 2030 by leveraging the state’s geology for carbon storage
• He will oversee U.S. energy policy, balancing Trump’s “drill, baby, drill” agenda with his own support for carbon capture technologies

🔭 The context: Burgum’s push for carbon capture aligns with generous federal tax credits, bolstered by the Inflation Reduction Act, despite criticism from some Republicans and climate activists
• His record includes granting permits for carbon capture projects and making North Dakota a leader in sequestration
• However, projects like Summit Carbon Solutions face resistance from landowners and activists concerned about environmental risks and property rights

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Carbon capture is a controversial tool in addressing climate change, with proponents claiming it can mitigate emissions from fossil fuel use and opponents fearing it delays a transition to renewables
• Burgum’s policies could shape U.S. energy production and its role in global climate goals, particularly regarding the viability of sequestration at scale

⏭️ What's next: Burgum’s Senate confirmation hearing for Interior Secretary is slated for January 14
• If confirmed, he will influence federal land energy policy and lead Trump’s new National Energy Council
• The success of carbon capture projects and preservation of related tax credits will be pivotal in determining his impact on U.S. energy and climate strategy

💬 One quote: “This is a great opportunity to leverage one of the world’s challenges for the benefit of our entire state.” – Doug Burgum on carbon capture

📈 One stat: Globally, investment in carbon capture reached $11 billion in 2023, nearly doubling from the previous year

See here detailed sustainability performance of companies like Chevron Corporation and ExxonMobil Corporation

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