Biden Administration Pledges $3.5B To Build Carbon Dioxide-Sucking Hubs

In what could be a big win for the environment, the US Department of Energy (DOE) announced its intent to fund a US$3.5 billion program focused on capturing and storing carbon emissions directly from the air. 

The Regional Direct Air Capture Hubs program will feature four large-scale, regional direct air capture hubs fitted with carbon dioxide removal (CDR) networks, which will separate carbon dioxide from ambient air.

After which, the carbon dioxide will be permanently stored underground, or added to materials such as concrete that will prevent it from being re-released into the atmosphere.

According to a press release, the Biden Administration noted that apart from other initiatives involving clean power, efficiency, and industrial innovation, it plans to tap on these direct air capture and storage technologies as part of its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. 

Each of the hubs is expected to capture and store at least one million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year.

In addition, other than addressing the ever-growing problem of climate change, the emerging program will help to create good-paying jobs for the community, promote engagement, and encourage environmental justice. 

“The UN’s latest climate report made clear that removing legacy carbon pollution from the air through direct air capture and safely storing it is an essential weapon in our fight against the climate crisis,” said US Secretary of Energy, Jennifer M Granholm.

“President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is funding new technologies that will not only make our carbon-free future a reality, but will help position the US as a net-zero leader while creating good-paying jobs for a transitioning clean energy workforce,” she added.

[via Gizmodo and US Department of Energy, cover image via Mr.siwabud Veerapaisarn | Dreamstime.com]