[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 63 (Thursday, April 19, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E796-E797]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




THE INTRODUCTION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY CARBON CAPTURE AND STORAGE 
          RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRATION ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 19, 2007

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to introduce the 
Department of Energy Carbon Capture and Storage Research, Development, 
and Demonstration Act of 2007. This bill will expand and enhance the 
Department of Energy's carbon capture research and development program 
to spur the creation of economically feasible and environmentally sound 
carbon sequestration technology. It is companion legislation to a bill 
introduced in the Senate by Senator Bingaman, chairman of the Energy 
and Natural Resources Committee.
  Several events over the past year have helped clarify the agreement 
among scientists, the public, industry, and public officials that 
climate change is a challenge that our society must address.
  Most recently, Working Groups I and II of the Intergovernmental Panel 
of Climate Change--IPCC--released reports as part of the panel's fourth 
assessment report. The first report highlighted the growing scientific 
consensus that human influence is causing the climate to change. The 
second report provides a powerful statement of the impacts of climate 
change around the world. The IPCC international process has government 
support from over 100 countries, including strong involvement from the 
United States. These reports document that the ``warming of the climate 
system is unequivocal'' and that sea temperatures are rising, glaciers 
are melting, and air temperatures worldwide are increasing, all of 
which will have major impacts on the world that we know.
  The climate is changing and we as a society must begin addressing 
these changes before the economic and environmental consequences 
devastate our planet. And that will involve decreasing the amount of 
carbon dioxide, a known greenhouse gas, in the atmosphere.
  Yet, it is important to come to terms with the fact that we cannot 
end our dependence on fossil fuels overnight. For example, coal is the 
most abundant energy source in the United States and one of the 
cheapest energy resources. My home State of Colorado is ranked sixth in 
coal production in the U.S. In Colorado, coal provides more than 70 
percent of our electricity and employs more than 2,000 people.

[[Page E797]]

  Coal is a critical component of our economy and our energy supply, 
but unfortunately coal is also a major contributor to climate change. 
We must find a way to maintain our energy production while decreasing 
our carbon emissions. Carbon sequestration will be key to that effort.
  Carbon sequestration refers to taking carbon dioxide out of the 
atmosphere and storing it so that the gas does not re-enter the 
atmosphere. Right now, companies and governments around the world are 
enhancing natural carbon storage sources by planting trees and 
advocating no-till agriculture, among many other activities. But we are 
still not even close to slowing the increase in greenhouse gases in our 
atmosphere.

  Eventually, technology may allow us to remove carbon dioxide from the 
atmosphere and funnel it underground in long-term, airtight storage 
areas. But there are many obstacles to the development of technologies 
and methods that can significantly decrease CO2 levels in 
our atmosphere. For example, we still don't know enough about the long-
term stability, safety, and reliability of aquifers, coal seams, and 
other geological formations for CO2 storage. Nor are we 
familiar with the technologies to accomplish this on the scale needed 
to truly decrease global carbon levels.
  My legislation will build upon DOE's current carbon capture and 
storage program created in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. It will 
improve DOE's regional carbon sequestration partnerships and create 
seven test projects across the country to learn more about the 
economics and design of carbon capture and storage technology. It will 
also help ensure that DOE has the necessary funds to conduct this 
cutting-edge research.
  Although it is already too late to stop the climate from changing, 
carbon capture and storage--in conjunction with smart energy policies--
can help minimize the impact of climate change on future generations.
  We must not view taking action against global warming as bringing 
doom and gloom to industry. Making the right choices about how to 
address climate change can lead to new technological innovations, a 
boom in American jobs, and a strengthened economy. But we must begin to 
make these choices now by investing in the research and development of 
carbon capture and storage technologies that can address the climate 
change challenge.

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