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The Clean Air Task Force supports the USE IT Act, arguing that it complements the 45Q tax credit by funding direct air capture, carbon utilization R&D, and pipeline infrastructure, all of which are necessary to meet Paris Agreement temperature targets as indicated by the IPCC.

The document outlines two primary categories of geoengineering: carbon geoengineering (CO2 removal) and solar geoengineering (solar radiation management). It details a four-stage research progression from theory to large-scale testing and highlights critical ethical, political, and social risks, including moral hazard and equity for vulnerable populations. The authors argue for the urgent development of a transparent international governance framework to manage these technologies responsibly.

The report argues that the U.S. energy innovation system is in urgent need of reform, moving away from a reliance on the Department of Energy (DOE) and a hope for unpredictable 'breakthroughs' toward a portfolio of incremental improvements. It proposes treating climate mitigation as a public good and a public works endeavor, utilizing government procurement and competition between agencies—such as the Department of Defense (DoD)—to drive innovation. Through case studies of solar photovoltaics, post-combustion capture (PCC), and direct air capture, the authors emphasize the critical role of demonstration projects in reducing technical and cost uncertainties for large-scale deployment.

The report by Climate Action Against Disinformation (CAAD) analyzes ten 'misleading claims' used by fossil fuel interests to delay the energy transition. It argues that fossil fuels are the primary driver of climate change, with 36.6 billion tonnes of the 40.5 billion global CO2 emissions in 2022 originating from their use. The document debunks claims that emissions—rather than fossil fuels themselves—are the problem, and challenges the industry's focus on Scope 1 and 2 emissions, noting that Scope 3 emissions account for 80-95% of total carbon emissions for oil and gas companies. It further critiques technological 'solutions' like Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), Direct Air Capture (DAC), e-fuels, and 'blue' hydrogen, characterizing them as expensive, inefficient, or unproven at the scale required to limit warming to 1.5C. Finally, it argues that fossil fuel reliance hinders economic growth in Africa and Asia and exacerbates the global cost-of-living crisis.

The document outlines the three-stage process of carbon capture and storage (CCS)—capture, transport, and storage—and argues that these technologies are essential for decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries like cement and natural gas processing. It highlights Colorado's significant geologic storage capacity, estimated at nearly 150 billion metric tons of CO2, and identifies the Denver Basin, Cañon City Embayment, Piceance, and Sand Wash basins as potentially suitable sites. Economically, the document cites Rhodium Group estimates that CCS deployment could create 1,060–1,580 operational jobs and nearly 400 transportation infrastructure jobs annually over 15 years. It also details financial incentives, including the federal 45Q tax credit (offering up to $180/ton for direct air capture) and state-level support via the Colorado Industrial Tax Credit Offering and the Clean Air Program (CAP). Finally, it addresses safety concerns, noting that EPA Class VI permits regulate storage to protect drinking water and that CO2 pipelines have a long safety record in the U.S.

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 enhances the 45Q tax credit to make carbon capture and storage more accessible for hard-to-abate industries and direct air capture. Key changes include increased credit values, an extended construction window until 2033, the introduction of direct payment options, and lower capture thresholds for qualifying facilities.

The Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA) allocates $12.1 billion toward carbon management, representing the largest single investment in the sector since 1997. The funding is distributed across four primary areas: carbon capture, utilization & storage (CCUS) research, development, and demonstration (RD&D); carbon transport and storage infrastructure and permitting; carbon utilization market development; and carbon removal priorities. Key allocations include $3.5 billion for four regional direct air capture (DAC) hubs and $2.5 billion for the CO2 Storage Commercialization Program. The document notes that IIJA provides the necessary RD&D and infrastructure, while the proposed Build Back Better Act (BBBA) was intended to provide the market incentives via 45Q tax credit enhancements.

The analysis finds a significant funding gap for European carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects that cannot recover costs through carbon pricing alone. By 2023, 55% of excess costs are uncovered, and a total shortfall of €10 billion is projected by 2030. While some countries like Norway, the UK, and the Netherlands have established specific incentive schemes, the report argues that additional targeted funding is required, particularly for high-cost sectors, to kickstart deployment and develop infrastructure.

The document outlines the necessity of shared CO2 transport and storage 'hubs' to enable the decarbonization of emissions-intensive industries and the deployment of Direct Air Capture in the U.S. It identifies critical barriers—including high costs, a 'chicken-and-egg' challenge between capture and transport, and the need for future-proof capacity—and proposes the SCALE Act as a solution. The Act includes programs for cost-sharing storage hubs, increased EPA permitting funding, FEED grants, and low-interest loans via the CO2 Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (CIFIA). The text notes that while the U.S. has 5,000 miles of existing CO2 pipelines, it lacks the comprehensive federal policy support seen in Canada, the EU, Norway, the UK, and Australia.

The Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376) allocates $555 billion to climate change and clean energy to reduce emissions by over one billion metric tons by 2030. The legislation employs a sector-wide approach, providing tax credits and grants for zero-emission vehicles, clean hydrogen, carbon capture (via enhanced 45Q credits), and renewable energy. It specifically targets the decarbonization of heavy industry, the power sector—including support for existing nuclear plants—and agricultural and forestry sequestration, while directing 40% of investment benefits to disadvantaged communities.

The analysis identifies a significant gap between announced CO2 capture ambitions and the development of geological storage capacity in Europe, particularly in the short term. While Europe possesses a theoretical storage potential of approximately 507 Gt, the time required to develop storage sites (5 to 15 years) lags behind the faster implementation of capture projects. By 2025, a shortage of around 15 Mt/year is expected, and by 2030, the gap widens to approximately 40 Mt/year, with available capacity meeting only half of the 82 Mt/year demand. The report notes that many capture projects are concentrated in industrial clusters, but several countries—including Belgium, France, Germany, Poland, and Sweden—have no announced storage projects despite capture ambitions, necessitating cross-border storage solutions.

The document outlines a policy package comprising 45Q tax credit enhancements, the SCALE Act for infrastructure, and the appropriation of the Energy Act of 2020, which together could increase US carbon management capacity 13-fold by the mid-2030s.

The document explains that Section 45Q provides performance-based tax credits to industrial facilities and power plants that capture CO2 for geological storage or utilization. It highlights Department of Energy (DOE) modeling suggesting these incentives could reduce power sector emissions by 50 to 70 million tonnes annually by 2030-2040 and argues that CO2-enhanced oil recovery (EOR) results in net emission reductions by displacing other crude oil sources.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) argues that while the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) are projected to reduce U.S. emissions by just over 40% by 2030 relative to 2005 levels, additional federal policy is required to reach net-zero emissions by midcentury. CATF is advocating for several specific policy interventions, including a zero-carbon fuel standard, revised siting and permitting for clean energy infrastructure, and a federal electricity procurement model requiring 24-7 zero-emission clean electricity. The organization is also focusing on supporting advanced nuclear supply chains, reducing methane from oil, gas, and agriculture, and developing regulatory structures for hydrogen infrastructure. To implement these strategies and expand its policy expertise, CATF seeks $25 million in funding over the next five years.

The Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) provides billions of dollars for the research, development, and demonstration of zero-carbon technologies, including carbon capture, clean hydrogen, advanced nuclear, and grid expansion. While the IIJA establishes a technological foundation, the document asserts that the Build Back Better Act is required to provide the incentives and tax credits necessary for the U.S. to reach 50-52% economy-wide emissions reductions by 2030.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 significantly increases the 45Q tax credit, raising incentives to $85/tonne for industrial and power generation facilities and $180/tonne for direct air capture (DAC) when stored in saline geologic formations. These updates lower the capture thresholds for credit eligibility—reducing the industrial requirement from 100,000 to 12,500 tonnes of CO2 per year and the DAC requirement to 1,000 tonnes per year—while extending the construction window to January 1, 2033. The document argues that these incentives make carbon capture more accessible for hard-to-abate sectors like steel, cement, and refineries. Additionally, it recommends that Germany develop a National Carbon Management Strategy, financial incentives such as carbon contracts for difference (CCfD), and a business case for negative emission technologies to ensure industrial decarbonization and global competitiveness.

The US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has significantly increased 45Q tax credits for carbon capture and storage (CCS) and direct air capture (DAC), lowering entry thresholds for industrial emitters and extending project start dates to January 1, 2033. The document suggests Germany should adopt a national carbon management strategy, financial incentives like Carbon Contracts for Difference (CCfDs), and business models for negative emission technologies to support its industrial decarbonization.

The document argues that CCS is essential for decarbonising hard-to-abate industrial sectors like cement and steel and for achieving net-negative emissions after 2050. It details the technical process of capturing CO2 using amines or membranes and storing it in saline aquifers or depleted reservoirs at depths exceeding 800 metres. The text asserts that geological storage is permanent and safe, with projected annual leak rates as low as 0.0002% in regulated industries. While costs vary by source—ranging from under 90 euro per tonne for fertilisers to 700 euro for direct air capture—the document suggests that government support for shared infrastructure can drive down costs, similar to the trajectory of offshore wind. It highlights approximately 100 proposed projects in Europe, particularly around the North Sea, and notes that the EU may need to capture 300 to 600 million tonnes of CO2 annually by 2050.

Austria aims for climate neutrality by 2040, necessitating CCS for 'hard-to-abate' industrial sectors, particularly iron and steel which account for 50% of industrial emissions. While a 2011 ban on geological CO2 storage exists, the government recommends lifting it by mid-2025. A 2024 feasibility study suggests a national CO2 pipeline network could be operational by 2034 with an estimated capital investment of €12–18 billion. Due to limited domestic storage capacity (estimated effective capacity of 118–275 Mt CO2), Austria will likely need to export captured CO2 to other countries.

Europe is redefining carbon capture as a strategic building block for its 2050 climate neutrality goals, particularly for hard-to-abate sectors like cement and steel. While the region is shifting toward an infrastructure hub model to achieve economies of scale—with projects like Northern Lights in Norway and Porthos in the Netherlands—deployment remains slow. The author contends that current funding instruments and the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) are insufficient on their own, calling for bold, per-ton deployment subsidies similar to those used for renewables or the US 45Q tax credit to accelerate commercial scale-up.