Texas must act on carbon capture or get left behind

When you think of Texas, you think of energy. Texans take great pride in their rich history of supplying America and the world with the vital energy required to drive our economy forward. The energy industry plays a pivotal role in supporting numerous jobs, and countless families depend on the sustained production and efficient distribution of energy to maintain our modern way of life. As we navigate the shifting landscape of the energy market, Texas must remain adaptable and forward-thinking. Embracing carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies represents a crucial step for our state in meeting both environmental challenges and energy demands responsibly.

By adopting CCS technologies, Texas is committed to conserving our natural resources while fostering innovation within the energy sector. Rather than abandoning the industry that has been integral to our state's success, we recognize the importance of utilizing advanced technologies that will enable us to continue providing reliable and affordable energy to the nation and the world, while also maintaining our conservative energy values.

CCS works by collecting the CO2 released through industrial processes and storing it deep underground in naturally occurring geological formations. With CCS, Texas can continue to utilize its oil and natural gas resources to meet the growing energy demand while still protecting the environment, preserving Texas's air and water, and also driving economic growth. 

Other domestic markets are progressing with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, and Texas must keep pace. There was hope earlier this year when two bills that supported CCS technology began making their way through the Texas legislature. Unfortunately, these bills did not garner the support needed in the legislature, meaning more actions will need to be taken next session to secure needed funding. To achieve better results in the future, increased education about the advantages of CCS is essential.

Furthermore, Louisiana is in the process of achieving state-level control of carbon capture wells (Class VI wells) in its state. If granted, it will allow Louisiana total control over its permitting and approval process without the need for the Environmental Protection Agency to step in. This type of local oversight will be critical in ensuring that there is both an efficient and safe regulatory process to oversee the permitting of new carbon capture wells. We must follow their lead and push for this same level of control here in Texas. 

Texas must act promptly to capitalize on supplemental funding opportunities and advance carbon capture and storage technology. With over $12 billion in allocated capital for CCS from Washington, Texas should work to secure its share of these funds. Failure to take action could result in the loss of projects and funding that would create numerous jobs and fortify our state's energy economy amid ongoing economic uncertainty. CCS stands as a critical energy policy priority, demanding immediate action from Texas to ensure its success. Increased education about the benefits of CCS is crucial to garner the necessary support for future legislative efforts.

To secure the future of Texas's energy economy, we must secure investment in new technologies that allow us to utilize our state's oil and gas resources while reducing our CO2  emissions. CCS technology will allow Texas to do this. It’s time for Texas to act on carbon capture and storage or our state's energy industry will get left behind.

Andreas Cantu is the co-founder of the American Conservation Coalition Houston Branch.