May 12, 2025 – At Fueling Freedom, we believe that securing America’s energy future requires more than just increasing production. It also demands forward-looking innovation that strengthens both our economy and our environment. One of the most promising technologies making this possible is Carbon Capture and Storage, or CCS.
This solution is already playing a key role in the transition to a cleaner and more reliable energy system. It enables the United States to meet growing energy demand, protect energy jobs, and reduce emissions, all without compromising our energy independence or competitiveness.
What Is Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and How Does It Work?
Carbon Capture and Storage is a process designed to prevent carbon dioxide (CO₂) from entering the atmosphere. It involves capturing CO₂ emissions from industrial operations or fossil fuel power plants, compressing the gas, transporting it, and storing it deep underground in stable geological formations.
Here is how each step works:
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Capture: CO₂ is separated from the other gases produced during combustion or industrial activity. There are several methods for doing this, including post-combustion capture, pre-combustion capture, and oxy-fuel combustion. These techniques are already in use at several large-scale facilities in the United States and abroad.
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Compression and Transportation: Once captured, the CO₂ is pressurized into a dense, liquid-like state. From there, it is transported via pipeline to designated storage sites. The U.S. already has over 5,000 miles of CO₂ pipelines, and that network is expanding.
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Storage: The CO₂ is then injected more than a mile underground into rock formations such as depleted oil and gas fields or deep saline aquifers. These formations are geologically stable and have safely contained oil, gas, and other fluids for millions of years. Extensive modeling, monitoring, and permitting ensure that the CO₂ remains securely trapped underground.
This is not a speculative solution. It is already in operation in states like Texas, North Dakota, and Wyoming. Companies and researchers have spent decades studying and verifying the safety and permanence of CO₂ storage in these environments.
Why Carbon Capture Matters for America’s Energy Security and Innovation
Carbon Capture and Storage is not just a climate solution. It is a national strategy to strengthen the energy system and position the United States as a global leader in responsible energy development. It advances multiple strategic goals:
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Protecting Jobs: CCS enables continued use of domestic energy resources such as coal and natural gas by reducing emissions at the source. This keeps jobs in energy-producing regions and supports entire supply chains built around responsible resource development.
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Enhancing Grid Reliability: Intermittent sources like solar and wind play a growing role in electricity production, but traditional baseload generation remains essential. CCS allows fossil fuel plants to continue operating while meeting emissions goals, ensuring grid stability during heatwaves, winter storms, and other periods of high demand.
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Strengthening Competitiveness: As the global energy landscape evolves, CCS offers a way for American industries to remain productive and competitive without facing the punitive costs of emissions restrictions. With strong infrastructure and technology, the United States can export this innovation around the world.
A Technology That Reflects Fueling Freedom’s Core Values
CCS embodies the six key public policy priorities at the heart of Fueling Freedom’s mission:
1. Energy Innovation: Carbon capture is a breakthrough technology developed by American engineers and scientists. It is a practical example of how innovation can solve complex challenges without abandoning reliable energy sources.
2. Energy Independence: By reducing emissions from domestic energy use, CCS makes it possible to continue relying on U.S.-produced oil, gas, and coal. This strengthens our independence and protects us from foreign energy volatility.
3. Economic Growth: Carbon capture projects generate billions in investment and create high-paying jobs across construction, engineering, manufacturing, and operations. They also help stabilize energy prices for families and small businesses.
4. Environmental Stewardship: CCS significantly reduces CO₂ emissions while preserving land, air, and water resources. It demonstrates that environmental goals can be achieved alongside continued industrial and energy activity.
5. Infrastructure Investment: Carbon storage hubs, pipeline networks, and retrofitted power plants represent the next wave of energy infrastructure. These investments modernize the grid and extend the life of existing assets.
6. Global Energy Leadership: The United States is already a global leader in CCS technology. Expanding these capabilities reinforces American leadership in clean energy innovation, giving us strategic and diplomatic leverage worldwide.
The Road Ahead: Policy, Permitting, and Public Support
The future of carbon capture and storage depends on strong support from both federal and state leaders. To grow this technology and make it widely available, government officials need to focus on speeding up the permitting process so projects are not stuck in delays. They also need to encourage partnerships between public agencies and private companies so they can work together and share knowledge. Building more pipelines and storage sites is a must, along with funding new research that makes carbon capture technology better and more affordable. Clear and consistent rules are also important so companies know what to expect when they invest in these projects. Many private companies are already moving forward with carbon capture, but they cannot do it alone. With strong leadership in Washington and state capitals, carbon capture can become a key part of how we power the country while protecting the environment.
Carbon Capture Is a Bridge to the Future
At Fueling Freedom, we believe energy progress should be based on facts, not fear. America does not have to choose between economic prosperity and environmental responsibility. We can achieve both by investing in solutions like Carbon Capture and Storage.
CCS is not about eliminating fossil fuels. It is about using them more wisely, responsibly, and efficiently. It is a smart, scalable, and secure way to reduce emissions, support jobs, and strengthen America’s energy independence for generations to come.
We are proud to support this technology and will continue working to ensure that it plays a central role in a balanced, forward-looking energy policy.