Pulp and Paper Tool Scoring Methodology

The Clean Air Task Force developed a tool to score U.S. pulp and paper facilities on their potential for carbon management based on five criteria: capture cost, capture potential, storage cost, cluster potential, and co-benefits potential. The tool uses GIS analysis, spatial statistics, and cost modeling to identify high-opportunity facilities for decarbonization, though the authors note that plant-specific engineering analysis is still required for feasibility determinations.

• The mapping tool evaluates pulp and paper facilities using five specific criteria: cost of capture, capture potential/volume, storage cost, clustered infrastructure, and environmental and social co-benefits.
• Capture costs are scored from 1 to 3, with the highest score (3) assigned to facilities with costs less than or equal to $85/MT, and the lowest score (1) for costs exceeding $120/MT.
• Capture potential is scored from 0.5 to 3 based on total capturable emissions from 2023 EPA Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program data, with the highest score given to facilities emitting more than 2,000,000 MT.
• Storage costs are scored from 0 to 3 based on the Livermore Lab Foundation’s Roads to Removal report, where costs less than $9/MT receive the highest score.
• Cluster potential is determined using the Getis-Ord Gi* spatial statistic to measure the clustering of other industrial facilities that qualify for the 45Q tax credit.
• Co-benefits potential is scored from 0.5 to 3 based on county-level indices for geologic storage and BiCRS (dry waste and woody biomass carbon removal and storage) feedstock, considering factors like employment, air quality, and land ownership.

APA

Clean Air Task Force (n.d.). Pulp and Paper Tool Scoring Methodology. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/02170030/pulp-paper-tool-methodology.pdf

Chicago

Clean Air Task Force. Pulp and Paper Tool Scoring Methodology. n.d. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/02170030/pulp-paper-tool-methodology.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Clean Air Task Force |title=Pulp and Paper Tool Scoring Methodology |url=https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/02170030/pulp-paper-tool-methodology.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{cleanairtaskforcendpulp, author = {{Clean Air Task Force}}, title = {{Pulp and Paper Tool Scoring Methodology}}, institution = {Clean Air Task Force}, url = {https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/02170030/pulp-paper-tool-methodology.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }