Biden allocates $1.2 billion towards combating climate change by targeting greenhouse gas emissions

**Energy Department Invests $1.2 Billion in Carbon Removal Projects**

The Energy Department recently announced its commitment to providing up to $1.2 billion in funding for two projects aimed at removing carbon dioxide from the air. This announcement marks the largest investment in “engineered carbon removal” to date. The process known as direct air capture (DAC) has the potential to be a game changer if it can become economically viable.

**A Step Towards Net Zero Emissions**

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm emphasized the potential impact of deploying direct air capture technology at scale. It has the ability to make significant progress towards achieving net zero emissions while simultaneously expanding clean energy deployment. Granholm expressed her optimism during a press conference unveiling the initiative.

**Project Cypress and South Texas DAC**

The awarded funding will support Project Cypress in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, and South Texas DAC in Kleberg County, Texas. Both projects aim to capture up to one million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. The Texas project envisions scaling up to remove an impressive 30 million metric tons per year once it reaches full operational capacity. However, no specific timeline was provided for this expansion.

**Job Creation and Unique Capacities**

In addition to significant carbon reduction potential, the projects have a broader positive impact. The Energy Department estimates that they will create 5,000 jobs for local workers, including those who were previously employed in the fossil fuel industry. On a conference call, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards highlighted the state’s suitability for carbon-related projects due to its petrochemical manufacturing expertise, pipeline infrastructure, and favorable geology.

**Biden Administration’s Focus on Carbon Capture**

This funding announcement reflects the Biden administration’s commitment to investing in carbon capture technologies that can extract carbon dioxide from the air and store it underground. As carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas responsible for global warming, tackling its removal is of utmost importance to address climate change.

**Scientific Community Supports Direct Air Capture**

Numerous scientists advocate for investments in direct air capture technology. Claire Nelson from Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory emphasizes the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels and adopt emission-free production methods. However, given the scale of change required, direct air capture serves as a necessary tool. Nelson asserts that investing in direct air capture now is crucial to ensure its readiness at the scale needed by 2050.

Tim Lieuwen, executive director of the Strategic Energy Institute at Georgia Institute of Technology, agrees that direct air capture is essential for addressing pollution from heavy industries. Melissa Lott, director of research for the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University, adds that reducing emissions rapidly is crucial. This requires a multifaceted approach involving enhanced efficiency, increased clean energy utilization, and the deployment of carbon management technologies.

Shannon Boettcher, a professor of chemistry at the University of Oregon, acknowledges that direct air capture technologies are not yet cost-effective. However, he believes that investing in research and development is critical to enhancing their efficiency.

**Critics Advocate for Emission Reduction Focus**

Despite support from scientific experts, some critics argue that funding direct air capture technology is misguided. Instead, they contend that the focus should be on eliminating emissions altogether. Jonathan Foley, executive director of Project Drawdown, a group that promotes climate solutions, argues that the allocated funds would be better spent on existing climate solutions that directly reduce emissions. He emphasizes the importance of energy efficiency and emission reduction in agriculture, transportation, and electricity generation.

Foley expresses concern that investing in direct air capture could provide a false sense of security for the fossil fuel industry, as it may perpetuate the notion that emissions can continue while carbon removal technologies are developed. For Foley and others, the focus must remain on prioritizing proven emission reduction methods.

**The Role of Direct Air Capture in Emission Reduction**

While the true role of direct air capture in emission reduction is yet to be determined, established technologies like solar, wind, and batteries continue to experience rapid growth. Therefore, direct air capture may complement these existing solutions rather than replace them. The funding provided by the Energy Department reflects a commitment to exploring and investing in a variety of strategies to combat climate change effectively.