WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) today introduced the Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies (USE IT) Act, legislation to support carbon utilization and direct air capture research. The bill would also support federal, state, and non-governmental collaboration in the construction and development of carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS) facilities and carbon dioxide (CO2) pipelines.

“For America to reach its full energy potential, we need to continue pursuing a true all-of-the-above energy strategy—utilizing the many natural resources available to us while also working to develop new and innovative ways to use our energy resources,” Senator Capito said. “This bipartisan legislation will build on the success of our bipartisan FUTURE Act and provide additional incentives for the deployment of carbon capture technologies. It will also help us ensure there are no unnecessary obstacles for those trying to reduce their emissions and find innovative ways to use—rather than waste—carbon.”

The USE IT Act would:

  • Narrowly amend the Clean Air Act to direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use its existing authority to support carbon utilization and direct air capture research.

  • Clarify that CCUS projects and CO2 pipelines are eligible for the permitting review process established by the FAST Act.

  • Direct the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to establish guidance to assist project developers and operators of CCUS facilities and CO2 pipelines.

  • Establish task forces to hear input from affected stakeholders for updating and improving guidance over time.

  • Build on the FUTURE Act, bipartisan legislation—now signed into law—introduced by Senators Capito, Barrasso, Whitehouse, and Heitkamp to extend and expand the 45Q tax credit to provide certainty to utilities and other industrial sources and incentivize the build-out of CCUS projects.


Read the text of the USE IT Act here.

 

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