Gulf Coast CCS Alliance Testifies at Texas House Interim Hearing
Gulf Coast CCS Alliance representative Scott Castleman was invited to testify at the interim hearing for the Texas House Committee on Energy Resources. The committee sought input on the applications of carbon capture and storage (CCS) in Texas.
Scott?s testimony provided a general overview of CCS’s importance to the state?particularly its benefits to the energy industry. He started by highlighting the valuable economic impacts that CCS will bring to local communities, informed the committee that ?tax revenue from CCS will directly fund roads, schools, and other essential services that Texas residents rely on every day,? and noted the already strong presence our member companies have in numerous local communities across the state. He said, ?Our member companies are already partnering with public safety departments to provide training and equipment to K-12 schools to bring STEM education materials to classrooms, and with local leaders and non-profits to expand quality of life improvements.?
Scott also mentioned the Texas Railroad Commission and the EPA?s recent primacy decision. He noted that, ?the Railroad Commission is the nation’s leading state regulator of subsurface activities, and it underwent a two-year application process to prove to the EPA it had the capability to permit wells according to rigorous requirements.? With the RRC being granted primacy last year, Scott made it clear to lawmakers that the permitting process in Texas can move forward on predictable timelines, making Texas a more attractive place for CCS investment.
Finally, Scott closed by highlighting the importance of a CCS legislative framework in the state. He stated, ?What the industry needs now is continuity. The legislative framework that got Texas here?predictable permitting, clear rules, and consistent state support? needs to keep functioning the same way as project volume increases.? He continues by saying, ?That kind of steady, reliable follow-through is what gives companies the confidence to invest at scale.? In other words, the legislature must continue to build direction for CCS in Texas, signaling to companies a clear and consistent path for growth. Without such a push, investors will look to other states, and Texas will be left in the dust.
The Alliance thanks Chairman Darby and the members of the House Energy Resources Committee for giving Scott the opportunity to provide CCS insights to members of the legislature. Efforts like these are important to ensure that Texas remains the energy capital of the world and lay the framework for the Gulf Coast to become a premier global CCS hub. We are excited to see interest in CCS from Texas lawmakers, and we look forward to a continued partnership.
