Winter 2026 Newsletter

Posted On: February 19, 2026

The Alliance is excited to unveil a new name that reflects the broad coalition we have built across our region: the Gulf Coast CCS Alliance! Though our banner has changed, our mission remains the same, with an expanded geographical footprint. We look forward to continuing to advance CCS technology not just in Houston, but across the Gulf Coast.

The Gulf Coast CCS Alliance

It’s not a coincidence that the Gulf Coast has seen growing development of carbon capture and storage (CCS). The region’s ideal geology, infrastructure, and experienced workforce are what makes it a potential global hub, not just in Houston, but in communities across the coast.

While our mission remains the same, the Gulf Coast CCS Alliance reflects the regional scale required to bring these ingredients together, aligning industry, government, academia, and communities around responsible solutions that support long-term economic strength and energy reliability.

The Alliance can now be found at the following handles on our social media accounts:

Have questions about what this broader focus means for your community? Let us know at info@gulfcoastccs.com!

The Alliance is excited for this new chapter and looks forward to maximizing our impact in the nation’s leading energy region. Here is what our members are saying:

Calpine:
“Calpine has long been at the forefront of the power generation’s transition to cleaner sources of reliable energy through its advocacy for market-based policies that prioritize competition and environmental responsibility. As part of that effort, and due to market demands, we have invested in CCS across the country. Our support for the Gulf Coast CCS Alliance is a reflection of that commitment and a recognition of the invaluable advocacy and education efforts on behalf of its member companies and the communities they serve.”

Chevron:
“Chevron aims to advance CCS solutions that can help strengthen U.S. energy security. We support expanding the Houston CCS Alliance beyond Houston and Southeast Texas to help accelerate broader CCS efforts along the U.S. Gulf Coast. This broader reach could help support CCS technology developments, our projects at Bayou Bend (with co-owners Equinor and TotalEnergies), the Pascagoula Refinery, and enable collaborations that could lower the carbon intensity of industries along the Gulf Coast.”

Exxon Mobil:
”In a time when energy demand is growing and decarbonization goals are on the global clock, ExxonMobil is taking big steps to expand and strengthen our CCS operations along the U.S. Gulf Coast — one of the world’s most crucial hubs for energy production and heavy industry. As operators of CCS projects across Louisiana and Texas, we are proud to work with the Gulf Coast CCS Alliance to help advance a robust CCS industry that supports economic growth and a lower‑emissions future.”

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EPA grants primacy, setting Lone Star State on path to robust CCS development

Late last year, the US Environmental Protection Agency officially granted Class VI well primacy to Texas, marking a significant milestone for CCS development across the state. During a public comment period last summer, Class VI well primacy received broad, bipartisan support from business organizations, local elected officials, and academic leaders, including the Texas Association of Business, Governor Greg Abbott, and Dr. Tracy Benson of Lamar University in Beaumont.

Texas is one of only six states now authorized to administer its own Class VI permitting program for storing carbon dioxide underground. This will allow the state to direct our state’s significant expertise in subsurface activity toward permitting and monitoring new CCS projects, maintaining rigorous health and safety standards while reducing permitting timelines and addressing backlogs that have slowed critical economic investment in our state.

Class VI primacy positions Texas to accelerate CCS development by providing regulatory certainty and state-led oversight. With permitting authority in place, this year will be a pivotal moment in our work to advance CCS development across the Gulf Coast, and reinforce Texas’ leadership in the evolving energy landscape.

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Milby High School after-school event expands outreach in Houston’s East End

The Alliance recently hosted a CCS education roundtable at Milby High School, a STEM-focused campus in Houston’s East End, connecting classroom science to the industries and jobs shaping the surrounding community. Joined by member company ExxonMobil and Houston City Council Member Joaquin Martinez (District I), the discussion highlighted how carbon capture and storage applies science and engineering to solve real-world challenges, like reducing emissions and sustaining local economic growth. Students also engaged hands-on with CarbonQuest, a digital game developed by ExxonMobil that explores the carbon cycle and demonstrates how technologies can address emissions

The Alliance looks forward to expanding CCS education and awareness efforts throughout the Gulf Coast.

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#AskTheExperts series draws new voices, supporters across Texas

The Alliance expanded its #AskTheExperts video series by featuring a new group of respected Texas leaders.The latest additions brought valuable insight from both industry and academia:

Elton Hollis, Co-Founder of the Golden Triangle Industrial Group shared how CCS can leverage the region’s existing energy workforce and infrastructure to create new jobs and attract investment across Southeast Texas.

Dr. Tracy Benson, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Lamar University provided a clear explanation of the science behind CCS. Dr. Benson addressed common questions about how CCS works and what makes it a safe and proven technology.

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New Alliance supporters illustrate the growing connection behind scaling CCS in the Gulf Coast region

Last fall, the Alliance added a number of new voices to our growing list of supporters, including Baytown Mayor Charles Johnson, City of Houston District H Councilmember Mario Castillo, CEO of the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce Joe Tant, Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones, City of Houston Vice Mayor Pro Tem Amy Peck, and most recently, Mayor of Pasadena Thomas Schoenbein.

The Alliance is grateful to count dozens of local business leaders, elected officials, economic development organizations, and academics among its supporters and will continue to welcomenew advocates in 2026.

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In the News

Check out the latest CCS-related news below:

EPA grants Texas primacy over Class VI carbon storage wells – Carbon Herald
11/13/25

The Alliance said: “EPA’s decision to grant the state of Texas primacy over Class VI underground injection wells is a game changer for our state. This marks another crucial step toward realizing the potential of large-scale carbon capture and storage development both in the Houston area and across our state.”

EPA grants Texas primacy over Class VI injection wells – Midland Reporter-Telegram
11/12/25

The Alliance provided the same statement, emphasizing the importance of the EPA’s decision and how CCS will shape the Gulf Coast’s future energy landscape.

Interested in reading more news from the Houston CCS Alliance? Click here to visit our Newsroom.

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The Gulf Coast CCS Alliance is a coordinated effort among energy majors Calpine, Chevron, and ExxonMobil to advance the development of carbon capture and storage in the Gulf Coast region. Interested in staying up-to-date with the Gulf Coast CCS Alliance? Share this with your contacts and sign up here.

Lauren Brown

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