Advancing CCUS Technology Act

To increase accountability with respect to Department of Energy carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration projects, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Advancing CCUS Technology Act 2. Carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration technologies (a) Amendments to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (1) Fossil energy Section 961(a) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16291(a) (8) Improving the conversion, use, and storage of carbon dioxide produced from fossil fuels. . (2) Coal and related technologies program Section 962(b)(1) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16292(b)(1) (A) by striking during each of calendar years 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2016, and during each fiscal year beginning after September 30, 2021, during each fiscal year beginning after September 30, 2016, (B) by inserting allow for large scale demonstration and technologies that would (C) by inserting commercial use, use of coal for (b) Increased accountability with respect to carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration projects (1) DOE evaluation (A) In general The Secretary of Energy (in this subsection referred to as the Secretary (B) Scope For purposes of this subsection, a project includes any contract, lease, cooperative agreement, or other similar transaction with a public agency or private organization or person, entered into or performed, or any payment made, by the Secretary for research, development, demonstration, or deployment of carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration technologies. (2) Requirements for evaluation In conducting an evaluation of a project under this subsection, the Secretary shall— (A) examine if the project will allow a carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration technology to advance and achieve any specific goal of the project; and (B) evaluate and determine if the project has made significant progress in advancing a carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration technology. (3) Recommendations For each evaluation of a project conducted under this subsection, if the Secretary determines that— (A) significant progress in advancing a carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration technology has been made, the Secretary shall assess the funding of the project and make a recommendation as to whether increased funding is necessary to advance the project; or (B) significant progress in advancing a carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration technology has not been made, the Secretary shall— (i) assess the funding of the project and make a recommendation as to whether increased funding is necessary to advance the project; (ii) assess and determine if the project has reached its full potential; and (iii) make a recommendation as to whether the project should continue. (4) Reports (A) Report on evaluations and recommendations Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall— (i) issue a report on the evaluations conducted and recommendations made during the previous year pursuant to this subsection; and (ii) make each such report available on the internet website of the Department of Energy. (B) Report Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 3 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report on— (i) the evaluations conducted and recommendations made during the previous 3 years pursuant to this subsection; and (ii) the progress of the Department of Energy in advancing carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration technologies, including progress in achieving the Department of Energy’s goal of having an array of advanced carbon capture and sequestration technologies ready by 2020 for large-scale demonstration.

Summary: Advancing CCUS Technology Act This bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct the Department of Energy (DOE)to carry out research and developtechnologyto improve the conversion, use, and storage of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels. It also revises the program of research and commercial application for coal and power systems to require DOE, during each fiscal year after FY2016, to identify cost and performance goals for technologies allowing large-scale demonstration and the continued cost-competitive commercial use of coal. DOEmust annually evaluateand make recommendations regarding any project it has entered into with a public or privateentityto developcarbon capture, utilization, and sequestration technologies. DOE must report to Congress, within two years and every three years thereafter, regarding theprojectevaluations it has conductedand the progress it has made in advancing carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration technologies.