The U.S. has pledged $1.2 billion to develop two carbon capture facilities in Texas and Louisiana, each capable of extracting 1 million tonnes of CO2 annually from the atmosphere. This move utilizes Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology, which filters CO2 from the air for storage or industrial reuse, like in concrete or aviation fuels.
Though DAC technology has seen limited use, with existing successful plants like one in Iceland, the U.S. government’s investment aims to scale its effectiveness in combating climate change. Both facilities are part of a broader strategy to address not just emissions reduction but the necessity of removing existing CO2 from the atmosphere. The projects are expected to support significant carbon capture efforts as they operate.
Challenges remain, particularly the high cost and energy demands of DAC technology, which must improve to achieve meaningful emissions reductions. Experts note while DAC isn’t a panacea for climate issues, it could enhance efforts to manage emissions from hard-to-decarbonize sectors.
If successful, this initiative could serve as a model for other countries, marking a significant step in the global strategy against climate change.
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