Sen. Cassidy highlights carbon capture at Senate Energy Subcommittee hearing

Published on July 12, 2019 by Kevin Randolph

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Sen. Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy, recently highlighted carbon capture at a hearing held by the committee.

The hearing considered several pieces of legislation, including Cassidy’s Launching Energy Advancement and Development through Innovations for Natural Gas (LEADING) Act, which would incentivize the research and development of carbon capture technology for natural gas.

“Developing cost-effective carbon capture technology for natural gas power plants will help the United States continue lowering emissions while creating jobs and supporting domestic energy production and security,” Cassidy said.

Cassidy also said that the United States should play a leadership role in reducing emissions.

“The Department of Energy will play a critical role in helping the United States and the world lower emissions,” he said. “Which is, of course, a global problem. If we want to be leaders, we need to provide a model that others can follow. And part of that model is showing the world that through innovation, we can lower our emissions and maintain a modern economy.”

“Through technological breakthroughs such as carbon capture and energy storage, we have the opportunity to show such a model,” Cassidy continued. “However, if we are to reach these breakthroughs, we must ensure that the right policies are in place to set up success. There have been promising breakthroughs in each area and I hope we can continue to build.”

This hearing included testimony from Bruce Walker, assistant secretary for the Office of Electricity, and Shawn Bennett, deputy assistant secretary for Oil and Gas for the Office of Fossil Fuel.