carbon capture
Newsletter
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Canada’s greenwashing law fails to halt politicians’ CCS advocacy
Despite new laws targeting misleading environmental claims, Canadian politicians continue to promote carbon capture and storage technology, which experts argue is an ineffective climate solution.
In short:
- Canadian officials, including environment minister Steven Guilbeault, have been vocal about CCS despite industry removing similar claims due to anti-greenwashing laws.
- The oil and gas industry has scrubbed CCS-related content from websites ahead of new regulations requiring proof of environmental claims.
- Studies indicate CCS is costly, slow to implement and largely ineffective at reducing emissions.
Key quote:
“Carbon capture technology has failed to make a dent in reducing climate pollution, despite decades of subsidies.”
— Julia Levin, Environmental Defence Canada
Why this matters:
Continued promotion of CCS by politicians undermines new regulations intended to prevent misleading environmental claims, potentially diverting resources from more effective climate strategies.
Related:
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Credit: Gerd Altmann/Pixabay
NextDecade drops carbon capture plans for Texas LNG terminal
NextDecade has canceled the carbon capture component of its Rio Grande LNG terminal after a federal court revoked project approvals due to environmental and regulatory concerns.
In short:
- NextDecade withdrew its carbon capture plan for the Rio Grande LNG terminal following a D.C. Circuit Court ruling.
- The court found that federal regulators did not adequately assess the project's environmental and community impacts.
- NextDecade's claims of capturing 90% of emissions were criticized as unrealistic and insufficient by environmental groups.
Key quote:
“For three years, NextDecade has insisted to FERC and the public that it would implement a carbon capture and sequestration project that would reduce Rio Grande LNG’s egregious greenhouse gas emissions by at least 90 percent.”
— Nathan Matthews, senior attorney, Sierra Club
Why this matters:
The cancellation raises doubts about the viability of carbon capture in large-scale fossil fuel projects, particularly when environmental justice and regulatory oversight are at stake.
Read more: Climate activists pan carbon capture plans
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Credit: Matthias Fischer/Pixabay
Explosion at New Mexico carbon capture plant raises questions about oil industry subsidies
A fire at the Piñon Midstream Dark Horse plant in New Mexico revealed how carbon capture operations intended to combat climate change can end up producing more pollution while receiving substantial taxpayer-funded subsidies.
In short:
- The fire at Piñon Midstream’s plant exposed the risks associated with processing “sour gas,” a dangerous mix of methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide.
- Despite the environmental damage, the facility may still claim up to $255 million in carbon capture tax credits in the next 12 years.
- The EPA approved the project’s monitoring plan just seven months after the fire.
Key quote:
“If your purpose in encouraging CO2 injection is to reduce the amount of CO2 that’s going into the air, it’s counterproductive to subsidize an industry that’s going to produce more oil and gas and put more CO2 into the air.”
— Preet Bains, research analyst for the Environmental Integrity Project
Why this matters:
Carbon capture projects like Dark Horse are marketed as climate solutions but can paradoxically lead to increased fossil fuel production and higher emissions. Taxpayers may unknowingly fund these projects, which contradict broader climate goals.
Related: 30 environmental advocacy groups ask PA governor to veto carbon capture bill
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Louisiana carbon capture project sparks safety and environmental concerns
A proposed carbon capture facility in St. Rose, Louisiana, has raised environmental and safety concerns among residents, highlighting the potential risks of a $4.6 billion project in a historically Black community already burdened by pollution.
In short:
- The carbon capture and storage project in St. Rose aims to capture over 99% of carbon dioxide emissions during ammonia production, but residents are concerned about additional pollutants and safety risks.
- The project is part of a larger initiative supported by federal climate legislation, which increased tax incentives for carbon storage, sparking rapid development across Louisiana.
- St. Rose residents, who already face high pollution and health risks, fear that the new plant will exacerbate existing issues, especially since the area lacks adequate medical facilities.
Key quote:
“High levels of ammonia are deadly, and even lower levels from normal operations can cause breathing problems.”
— Kimberly Terrell, director of community engagement and research scientist at the Tulane Environmental Law Clinic
Why this matters:
Carbon capture projects, while aiming to mitigate climate change, can impose significant local health and safety risks, particularly in vulnerable communities. One of the primary concerns is the potential for CO2 leaks from storage sites. While rare, a leak could displace oxygen in the surrounding area, posing asphyxiation risks to people and animals. Such an event would be particularly hazardous for vulnerable communities, including those with limited access to medical services or those already facing environmental health challenges.
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Credit: Ralf Vetterle/Pixabay
Pennsylvania accelerates into carbon capture with new legislation
Pennsylvania's government is advancing a controversial plan to capture and store carbon emissions underground, facing criticism over environmental risks and untested technology.
In short:
- Governor Josh Shapiro signed legislation to promote carbon capture and storage in Pennsylvania, though environmentalists criticize the plan, arguing it overstates benefits and overlooks risks.
- The law sets a new regulatory framework, increasing notification requirements to 75% of landowners for storage sites, and extends state liability for wells from 10 to 50 years after use.
- Some lawmakers and activists fear that carbon capture could repeat issues seen with fracking, including water contamination and inadequate environmental safeguards.
Key quote:
“Declaring a nonexistent technology to be in the public interest defies logic.”
— The Better Path Coalition, a grassroots environmental group
Why this matters:
Carbon capture is part of efforts to reduce emissions, but concerns about safety, effectiveness and potential environmental harm need thorough consideration. Critics argue that relying on unproven technology may distract from more sustainable solutions like renewable energy and stricter emission regulations.
Related EHN coverage:
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Carbon capture technology faces cost and scale challenges
Climeworks’ carbon capture plant in Iceland removes CO2 from the air and stores it underground as stone, but critics question its efficiency due to high costs and limited capacity.
In short:
- Climeworks' Mammoth plant in Iceland, the largest of its kind, captures 36,000 tons of CO2 annually by converting it into stone underground using DAC technology powered by geothermal energy.
- The high cost of $1,000 per ton of CO2 and the plant’s energy needs raise concerns about the technology’s scalability and effectiveness compared to reducing emissions at the source.
- Experts emphasize the need for a multi-pronged approach to climate change, as DAC alone cannot significantly offset the 40 billion tons of CO2 released annually.
Key quote:
“We release about 40 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year, so this [DAC] won't make a dent in the big problem.”
— Dr. Edvard Júlíus Sólnes, University of Iceland
Why this matters:
As global CO2 emissions continue to rise, innovative solutions like direct air capture are being explored to mitigate climate change. However, the feasibility of scaling such technology while addressing its economic and energy demands remains uncertain.
Related:
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Credit: Dmitrynew83/BigStock Photo ID: 419550961
Oil companies and conservatives face growing backlash over carbon capture technology
A once-popular climate technology is now facing skepticism from conservative groups, who are attacking its effectiveness and safety.
In short:
- Canada Proud, a right-wing group, is leading a campaign against carbon capture and storage (CCS), arguing that it poses environmental risks like groundwater contamination and earthquakes.
- The growing opposition includes figures like Jordan Peterson and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who question the cost-effectiveness and property rights issues associated with CCS projects.
- Rural communities in Alberta, traditionally not aligned with environmental activism, are also pushing back against major CCS projects due to concerns about safety and environmental impacts.
Key quote:
"Despite their claims, this is unproven technology with far-reaching implications into the future."
— Amil Shapka, No to CO2 Landowners Group
Why this matters:
A technology once viewed as a conservative-friendly solution to climate change is now caught in the crosshairs of conservative criticism. This shift is indicative of the evolving nature of climate politics in the United States, where traditional alliances are being upended and new coalitions are forming around the future of energy. Read more: Pennsylvania governor signs controversial carbon storage bill into law, paving the way for hydrogen hubs.
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