Senate advances Hoeven’s USE IT legislation promoting carbon capture technology

Legislation cosponsored by U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) to advance CO2 utilization and critical infrastructure projects recently received approval from the U.S. Senate as part of a larger defense bill.

The Senate on June 27 passed, 86 – 8, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, S. 1790, which contains language from Sen. Hoeven’s bipartisan, bicameral Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies (USE IT) Act, S. 383 / H.R. 1166. 

The USE IT Act would promote the research and development of carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) technology and would incentivize federal, state and private entities to jointly develop CCUS facilities and pipelines to transport the captured CO2, according to a summary of the bill provided by Sen. Hoeven’s office.

“Our legislation provides important support for the development and implementation of CCUS technology, which will benefit both traditional and renewable energy,” Sen. Hoeven said on July 2. 

Specifically, the USE IT Act would authorize $50 million for technical and financial assistance to CO2 utilization projects; classify CO2 pipelines and other CCUS projects as “covered projects” under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act; and would authorize $35 million for a competitive federal grant for direct air capture research, among other provisions, according to the summary.

“North Dakota is already an energy powerhouse,” Sen. Hoeven said. “By supporting the good work of organizations like EERC, we can continue to grow our domestic energy industry, providing good jobs and affordable energy for our nation while also reducing emissions.” 

The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday received the larger S. 1790 to reconcile any differences members have with the bill.