A Comprehensive Federal Strategy on Carbon Capture and Storage

This memorandum establishes an Interagency Task Force on Carbon Capture and Storage co-chaired by DOE and EPA to develop a plan within 180 days to overcome barriers to deploying CCS technology. It aims to bring 5-10 commercial demonstration projects online by 2016, with the goal of widespread cost-effective CCS deployment within 10 years.

Federal Register Open PDF 75 FR 6087

Impact dates

Jan 1, 2016
Goal of bringing 5 to 10 commercial demonstration projects online
Aug 2, 2010
Task Force develop proposed plan to overcome CCS barriers

Key directives

Establish Interagency Task Force on Carbon Capture and Storage
Each agency head designate a senior official to serve on Task Force
Task Force co-chaired by DOE and EPA designees
Develop proposed plan within 180 days to overcome CCS deployment barriers
Plan to bring 5-10 commercial demonstration projects online by 2016
Co-Chairs report progress periodically to President through CEQ Chair

Timeline

Immediate

Establishment of Interagency Task Force
Agency heads must designate senior officials to serve

Near term (90d)

Task Force development of proposed plan (180-day deadline falls in this period)

Long term

Target of 5-10 commercial demonstration projects by 2016
Goal of widespread cost-effective CCS deployment within 10 years (by ~2020)

Risks & tensions

10-year deployment timeline and 2016 demonstration goals were highly ambitious and not met; CCS deployment remained limited
Explicit caveat 'subject to availability of appropriations' weakens binding force
Acknowledges need for comprehensive energy/climate legislation (cap-and-trade) which failed in Congress
Plan development deadline (180 days) is clear but subsequent milestones lack specific enforcement mechanisms