Oklahoma joins group that will promote carbon capture, use
A bipartisan group of governors that includes Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin has launched a new effort to further develop and deploy carbon capture projects, it announced on Tuesday.
Fallin said the partnership will foster both the development and deployment of carbon capture projects across the United States and will look for incentives that can be provided to make the work happen.
Fallin said the project’s work is important to Oklahoma because carbon dioxide can be used to help recover oil that otherwise is difficult to produce.
“This coalition encourages market-driven solutions in the development of CO2 pipelines and carbon-capture facilities,” she stated in a release announcing the group.
Through the partnership, Fallin said governors will work together to:
• Elevate carbon capture, storage and its use as a national priority for American energy independence, job creation, environmental stewardship and global technology leadership.
• Encourage congressional and presidential action to expand the portfolio of federal policies to put carbon capture on an equal footing with other lowand zero-emission energy technologies.
• Foster carbon capture and CO2 pipeline infrastructure deployment in states and regions by identifying state policies and programs to complement federal policies.
• Forge public-private partnerships to support critical projects and overcome barriers to developing, financing and implementing them.
Fallin said the partnership will undertake analyses, make policy recommendations, and harness the leadership of participating governors to accomplish those objectives.
Initial funding for the partnership is provided through grants from the MacArthur Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, Spitzer Charitable Trust, Energy Foundation, and from private-sector contributions.
The Governors’ Partnership on Carbon Capture will initially be led by Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead and Montana Gov. Steve Bullock. Govs. Gary Herbert of Utah, John Bel Edwards of Louisiana and Jeff Colyer of Kansas, also are part of the group.