The Texas General Land Office has opened over a million acres of state-owned offshore waters for carbon sequestration projects, marking a significant step towards mitigating climate change. Amidst growing support and challenges, the move signals a shift to commercial deployment of carbon capture technology.
Texas Opens Over a Million Acres for Carbon Sequestration Projects
Texas has launched its largest request for proposals to date, targeting over a million acres of offshore state-owned waters for carbon sequestration. The state’s General Land Office issued the call in June, opening waters in Lavaca Bay, Matagorda Bay, Laguna Madre, and areas near South Padre Island, Matagorda Island, Freeport, and the Bolivar Peninsula. This initiative marks the fourth such request since 2021.
Carbon sequestration, which involves capturing carbon dioxide at industrial smokestacks and injecting it underground, is a growing component of U.S. climate policy. Supported by federal funding and the oil and gas sector, the technology aims to mitigate climate change but faces challenges such as high costs and technical difficulties.
Charles McConnell, director of the Center for Carbon Management in Energy at the University of Houston, highlighted the transition from research to commercial deployment. He and other industry leaders see the Gulf Coast as a potential global hub for carbon disposal. However, a viable long-term revenue model remains elusive, with current projects heavily reliant on government subsidies.
The Texas Railroad Commission has requested authority to regulate these wells, a responsibility currently held by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) except in three states. The EPA is reviewing 13 permit applications, including those for onshore, offshore, and coastal wetland sites.
Environmental concerns persist, with groups and lawmakers urging caution over the state’s regulatory capabilities. Despite these issues, the potential for significant greenhouse gas mitigation keeps focus on the development of carbon sequestration projects.
Key Insight:
“We are really now on the cusp of moving away from institutional research and more towards broad commercial deployment,” said Charles McConnell, underscoring the shift towards larger-scale implementation of carbon sequestration technology.
