The EPA should encourage states to meet CO2 reduction goals by allowing the recycling of CO2 via carbon capture & utilization (CCU) technology. This common sense approach reduces overall emissions, creates a revenue stream for utilities that offsets the cost of compliance, keeps rates low for taxpayers and stimulates economic development and job creation across the country.
Technologies are now available to utilize CO2 captured from power plants and fed directly to organisms like bacteria and algae, which can be converted into valuable products, such as fuels and chemicals, animal feed and human nutrition. The Clean Power Plan should recognize CCU as a viable pathway for compliance with new rules.