Carbon Capture Technology
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Carbon Capture Technology

Capturing carbon dioxide is a novel way to prevent it from entering the atmosphere and exacerbating climate change. Today’s biofuel producers are leaders in this space and either store their biogenic CO2 safely underground or use it in other products like carbonated beverages or dry ice that keeps food fresh and vaccines and medicines safe. The more that policymakers can embrace this technology and reward its adoption, the greater an impact it can have on reducing carbon emissions.

Carbon capture technology provides a means for bioethanol producers to capture, sequester, and use the biogenic CO2 that's a natural byproduct of the production process.

The Asks

  • Regulators must allow biofuels produced in conjunction with carbon capture to qualify as an approved pathway process under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
  • Policymakers must use the GREET model to administer tax credits designed to incentivize lowering GHG emissions (the GREET model is the most accurate, and the only lifecycle analysis (LCA) model that accounts for the emissions reductions derived from carbon capture technology).
  • Congress should extend the direct pay provisions of the 45Q carbon capture tax credit.
  • Officials should allow food and beverage applications for CO2 to qualify as carbon utilization (making this activity eligible to receive tax incentives).

What Is Carbon Capture?

Carbon Capture is any process whereby carbon dioxide that would otherwise have entered the atmosphere is instead diverted to be stored underground or used in other products like carbonated beverages or dry ice to keep medicines and vaccines safe.

How Does It Work?

Watch this video to learn the basics of how carbon capture works.

What Impact Would Growth Energy’s Policy Priorities Have on Consumers, the Economy, or the Environment?

Biofuels reduce carbon emissions and can play a key role in actively removing or utilizing carbon to improve our air. Carbon capture, utilization, and storage – or CCUS – consists of carbon reduction technologies that have the power to offset emissions from the biomanufacturing process and help achieve the tremendous decarbonization needed to reach ambitious climate goals by 2050.