ATLANTA, Georgia, August 15, 2023 — The U.S. Department of Energy announced last week $1.2 billion in awards to scale carbon removal using direct air capture, with $1.1 billion to support commercial-scale facilities in Texas and Louisiana and the remaining $100 million for earlier stage research and development projects in what is the largest investment in carbon dioxide removal in history.
The announcement also includes a Notice of Intent to support future carbon dioxide removal funding consistent with the Carbon Negative Shot program. This future funding includes $35 million for the US government to procure carbon dioxide removal from suppliers, support for up to five ocean-based carbon dioxide removal pilot projects, and investments for monitoring, reporting, and verification tools and technologies—including those for ocean-based carbon dioxide removal.
Ocean Visions CEO Brad Ack has issued the following statement in response:
“Ocean Visions commends the United States Department of Energy for their leadership to advance carbon dioxide removal science and technology. In order to meet its climate goals, the United States must both phase out its use of fossil fuels and remove legacy carbon dioxide pollution from the air and ocean. These investments are an incredible step towards advancing the much more robust and comprehensive research and testing agenda society needs to better understand which carbon dioxide removal pathways may be safe and viable at scales that matter. We’re pleased that ocean-based carbon dioxide removal projects are being supported as part of this investment strategy.”
The climate crisis is one of the greatest threats facing public health, the economy, and natural ecosystems—including the ocean, which is warming due to the buildup of greenhouse gas pollution in the atmosphere and acidifying as carbon dioxide is absorbed in the upper ocean. We can address this threat only by reducing overall greenhouse gas concentrations in the biosphere, which includes both reducing emissions and cleaning up billions of tons of carbon dioxide pollution. Ocean Visions is working to advance the responsible research and development of potential ocean-based carbon dioxide removal pathways to determine which might be safe, equitable, and viable.
ABOUT OCEAN VISIONS
Ocean Visions is a non-profit organization that catalyzes innovation at the intersection of the ocean and climate crises. We facilitate multisector collaborations from within our Network and beyond, working with leading research institutions, the private sector, and public-interest organizations to fully explore and advance responsible and effective ocean-based climate solutions. In short, we work to stabilize the climate and restore ocean health. To learn more, visit www.oceanvisions.org or follow @Ocean_Visions on Twitter.