Senators Murray and Kaptur Accuse DOE of Illegally Using Carbon Capture Funds to Support Coal Plants

Senator Patty Murray and Representative Marcy Kaptur sent a letter to Energy Secretary Chris Wright, demanding the Department of Energy halt plans to use $350 million in carbon capture funds to restart and recommission coal-fired power plants. The lawmakers argue that the funds, appropriated under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for carbon capture pilot and demonstration projects, are being illegally diverted to prop up uneconomic coal plants, violating the Antideficiency Act. DOE selected four awards under a coal recommissioning notice, but the lawmakers say none include actual carbon capture deployment. Two projects focus on restarting coal plants with only a feasibility study for capture, while the other two fund scoping and design work. Murray and Kaptur have raised concerns for over eight months and say DOE has failed to provide a legal justification, calling the plan a misuse of public funds that raises costs for families.