[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 35 (Thursday, March 1, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S2498]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. SALAZAR (for himself, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Webb, Mr. Tester, 
        and Mr. Bunning):
  S. 731. A bill to develop a methodology for, and complete, a national 
assessment of geological storage capacity for carbon dioxide, and for 
other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. President, today, I am proud to introduce the 
National Carbon Dioxide Storage Capacity Assessment Act of 2007.
  Our earth is getting warmer. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration recently announced that 2006 was the warmest year on 
record, and every single year since 1993 has fallen in the top twenty 
warmest years on record.
  In February 2007, a report released by the Intergovernmental Panel on 
Climate Change found the levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse 
gases in the atmosphere resulting from the burning of fossil fuels have 
increased more than 30 percent since the Industrial Revolution. The 
increased levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are contributing 
to the increased temperatures we are seeing today.
  The United States is the largest emitter of CO2 in the 
world, and much of these emissions come from satisfying our energy 
needs. These same energy needs that fuel our homes, our cars, and our 
economy are hurting our planet. The debate on climate change in the 
Senate has started to transform, it has gone from whether or not 
climate change is real, to what can we do, now, to address climate 
change. There has been much discussion in the Senate about the need to 
create a clean energy future for America, and there is much optimism 
about our ability to produce energy in ways that do not harm the 
environment.
  In attempting to limit emissions, one promising step we can take is 
to sequester carbon dioxide. Carbon sequestration is a process where 
carbon is captured before it is released into the atmosphere, 
compressed, and stored underground in geological areas such as saline 
formations, unmineable coal seams, and oil and gas reservoirs. This 
technology exists today.
  My legislation would start us on the path to large-scale 
sequestration by directing the U.S. Geological Survey to conduct a 
national assessment of our sequestration capacity. Specifically, this 
assessment would evaluate the potential capacity and rate of carbon 
sequestration in all possible sites throughout the United States, as 
well the various risk levels involved.
  Carbon sequestration also holds potential economic benefits for the 
United States. Sequestration has the potential to enhance the recovery 
capabilities of certain oil, gas, and coal-bed reservoirs increasing 
the efficiency of these important resources to the benefit of all.
  The Department of Energy has already established seven regional 
carbon sequestration partnerships. These partnerships have vital 
experience and understanding about the potential for storing carbon 
dioxide. This bill will build upon the existing work of these 
partnerships, and create a national database assessable to the public 
on the potential storage sites across the United States--enabling 
companies to make cost-effective decisions needed to make sequestration 
a viable option.
  The need to combat climate change is here; many of the techniques and 
technologies to combat climate change are available; and we have the 
will to act. What is missing for carbon sequestration is a accessible, 
national assessment of the potential storage sites. This bill gives us 
the tools our country needs to spur the implementation of carbon 
sequestration, fight climate change, and create a clean energy future.
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