February 20, 2019
Senator John Barrasso
Chairman
Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works 410 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Chairman Barrasso:
On behalf of Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, I am writing in support of S. 383, the Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies (USE IT) Act.
S. 383 will further the development of carbon capture technologies and maintain the United States leadership role in carbon dioxide (CO2) capture, utilization and sequestration research, development and deployment. The legislation directs the Environmental Protection Agency to support research on direct air capture and CO2 utilization, with a focus on technologies that transform CO2 into commercial use. The bill also improves the permitting process for carbon capture and utilization projects by ensuring that these initiatives are eligible for a streamlined permitting process.
The United States’ economy and environment will ultimately benefit by realizing the full potential of CO2 as a commodity. The development of these technologies will facilitate the removal of emissions from the atmosphere and capturing a comparative advantage in a new line of carbon-‐‑based goods and services.
Thank you for your leadership on these critical issues, and we look forward to working with you to enact this legislation.
Sincerely,
Heather Reams
Managing Director