Input Stories

In a historic move, the U.S. federal government this week approved a carbon storage exploration project under public land in Wyoming (POLITICO Pro’s E&E NEWS PM, subscription). 
 
What’s going on: The Bureau of Land Management on Wednesday released final environmental assessments allowing Kansas-based Moxa Carbon LLC “to explore 605,100 acres of federal subsurface pore space—openings underground that can potentially hold injected carbon dioxide gas—for long-term storage.”  

• It’s the first time the U.S. government has given access to federal pore space through carbon dioxide injection wells. 
• Though the approval does not include access to surface lands, “it could in the future with a separate approval.”  
• Moxa will still require a permit from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality to inject carbon dioxide underground. 
• Wyoming is one of only four states the Environmental Protection Agency has given the authority to permit carbon dioxide injection wells.   

Why it’s important: “The BLM said that the project aligns with President Donald Trump’s goals to ‘unleash American energy,’ referencing a Jan. 20 presidential order.” 
 
Our view: “Carbon capture is a vital part of an all-of-the-above strategy on energy,” said NAM Director of Energy and Resources Policy Michael Davin. “It’s among the processes that strategic energy incentives, such as the 45Q tax credit, are helping manufacturers pursue so the U.S. can realize both fewer emissions and continued competitiveness on the global stage.”