Washington, D.C. — In response to the close of the the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations’ (OCED) Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects Announcement, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Chispa Texas issued the following statements:

“Today’s announcement from the Biden-Harris administration lacks the carbon capture projects critical in industrial, hard to decarbonize sectors — which could help build the future of clean manufacturing in the U.S.,” said LCV Vice President of Federal Policy Matthew Davis. “These power plant-focused projects reflect only part of the intent from Congress for the program, and the projects must offset their impact and ensure strong protections for fenceline communities disproportionately overburdened by toxic pollution. For too long, the communities most impacted by Big Polluters have been left out of the decision-making processes around fossil fuel infrastructure being proposed in their backyards. The administration must ensure local historically excluded communities are equitably included and consulted in the process, have critical information on projects including identified benefits and protections for community health and safety, and have the opportunity to be engaged in project design processes and funding decisions. 

Implementation of the President’s affordable clean energy plan must build healthy communities, tackle the legacy of toxic pollution, and invest in good paying union jobs that will put us on the path towards cleaner air, water, and communities for all.”

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“With today’s announcement of potential support of another carbon capture storage project in Baytown, we are once again disappointed by the federal investment in technologies that will prolong the use of fossil fuels — the root cause of the climate crisis that our communities are facing,” said Chispa Texas Program Director Elida Castillo. “This project will only further our dependence on fossil gas and sustain the industry instead of moving us toward conservation and renewable energy. Taxpayer funding should not be used to benefit Shell — Calpine Texas CCUS holdings must pay Shell with their multibillion-dollar profits.”

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