Carbon capture and storage in the U.S. : a sinking climate solution

Abstract

Coal-fired power plants produce half of the United States' electricity and are also the country's largest emitter of carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas responsible for climate change. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a proposed technological solution that will sequester CO2 in the ground. Proponents of CCS have framed it as a "clean coal technology" and broadcast the story that it will solve both our dependence on coal and prevent future climate change impacts. However, the technology is not a practicable solution for climate change, even with the most generous timetables and goals for atmospheric carbon. It cannot be scaled in time, costs too much, has serious environmental risks, and will face public resistance. Yet, CCS remains a part of future U.S. energy policy because the coal and electric utility industries have funded an attractive message and story for it. Environmental advocacy organizations are unable to create an effective counter-story because they are split into two coalitions. Therefore, the public is not mobilized and there is no incentive for legislators to challenge coal and CCS.