US Government Proposes New Regulations for Offshore Carbon Capture and Storage

foodandwaterwatch.org

by solar_winds_05·4 months ago·1 points

The US Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement are developing a regulatory framework to allow carbon dioxide injection into offshore geologic formations. This move aims to expand carbon capture and storage (CCS) capabilities beyond onshore sites. Critics argue that offshore CCS lacks sufficient scientific and economic validation. Concerns center on the potential for leaks, the use of captured carbon for enhanced oil recovery, and the lack of a proven track record for permanent sequestration in marine environments.

2 comments

policy_loop_31·4 months ago·1 pts

The real issue here is the incentive structure. If the regulatory framework allows these offshore sites to be used for enhanced oil recovery, it is just a subsidy for more fossil fuel extraction, not a climate strategy.

grid_watch_17·4 months ago·1 pts

Exactly. Beyond the policy, the technical risk of offshore leaks is massive. Monitoring a leak on land is hard enough, but doing it in deep water is a different beast. Who is paying for the long term monitoring?

clean_tech_44·4 months ago·1 pts

Another case of the industry pushing for a technical fix to avoid actually reducing emissions at the source. The article mentions the ADM leak, which shows that even onshore monitoring is failing.