The U.S. states of Wyoming and Colorado announced on June 28 they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the development of direct air capture (DAC). The bipartisan agreement will focus on the potential of DAC technology to boost economic development and job creation in the two states while decreasing atmospheric CO2. Governors Mark Gordon (WY) and Jared Polis (CO) announced the partnership during the Western Governor Association meeting in Boulder, Colorado.
As part of the MOU the two states could potentially collaborate on grant applications, identifying needed infrastructure, defining CO2 measurement standards, analyzing the opportunities for growth in CDR markets, discovering methods to address challenges related to cross-border carbon sequestration, establishing a pathway for the commercialization of emerging technologies, and promoting the active involvement of local, tribal, and state stakeholders in shaping DAC development.
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“Wyoming is a longtime leader in carbon management practices and policy,” said Governor Gordon, adding that direct air capture can complement the ongoing efforts in point-source CO2 capture and the associated infrastructure. Both Colorado and Wyoming possess crucial components required to establish a thriving carbon removal market and industry.
According to Governor Polis, the inter-state agreement is an important step in Colorado’s goal to achieve 100% renewable energy by the end of the next decade while creating well-paid jobs.
With favorable geology, infrastructure, policy, and resources, the region is a strong contender for direct air capture development. Wyoming offers strong carbon capture, use and sequestration (CCUS) assets in terms of geologic storage, infrastructure, and workforce in the energy sector, while Colorado has been working on policy development in terms of the regulatory, economic, technological, and research opportunities for CO2 removal. Colorado also hosts the world’s biggest operating DAC site.
The new MOU builds upon the partnership of Wyoming and Colorado with Utah and New Mexico to work on the Western Interstates Hydrogen Hub. This collaboration will involve billions of dollars of investment in clean hydrogen infrastructure.
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