State Senator Eugene Yaw | Pennsylvania
State Senator Eugene Yaw | Pennsylvania
The state House of Representatives Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee approved Senate Bill 831 today, which aims to establish the legal and regulatory framework for potential carbon dioxide capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS) in Pennsylvania. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23).
“This legislation is a proactive step to secure Pennsylvania’s future as a hub for carbon capture and sequestration,” Yaw said. “It’s a pragmatic solution to a problem that we all want to solve – reducing our carbon emissions without crippling the reliability of our existing power grid.”
Currently, only the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) claims authority for CCUS, a process that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere emitted from industrial sites for reuse or storage underground. The Great Plains Institute, using data from a 2009 Department of Conservation and Natural Resources report, estimates that the state could store about 2.4 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide underground. This amount is equivalent to the level of greenhouse gases emitted from 517 million gas-powered passenger vehicles annually, according to the EPA.
Yaw noted that the legislation has received support from various organizations including the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, the Pennsylvania State Building and Construction Trades Council, the Allegheny-Fayette County Labor Council, the Pittsburgh Regional Building Trades Council, AFL-CIO, and numerous other labor and environmental groups as well as industry representatives.
“Carbon capture technology has the potential to create a significant number of good paying jobs in the construction industry while simultaneously creating family-sustaining permanent jobs for the citizens of our commonwealth,” Robert Bair, president of the Pennsylvania State Building and Construction Trades Council said.
The bill now moves to the full House of Representatives for consideration.
For more state-related news and information, constituents can visit Senator Yaw’s website at www.SenatorGeneYaw.com or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @SenatorGeneYaw.
CONTACT:
Elizabeth Weitzel
717-787-3280
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