FROM STAFF REPORTS

WILSONVILLE – On Friday, Nov. 8, U.S. Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.) and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, toured the Department of Energy’s National Carbon Capture Center in Wilsonville.

The NCCC was created in 2009 by the DOE to accelerate the commercialization of technologies to reduce emissions from both natural gas and coal power plants.

“The National Carbon Capture Center is focused on finding breakthroughs in next-generation carbon capture technologies that will reduce overall global carbon emissions,” Jones said. “It’s a great example of how the Alabama business community is help to move the green economy forward.”

“Experts have made it clear fossil fuels are projected to be part of our energy portfolio through 2040 and focusing on carbon capture technologies is one of the most critical technologies we can invest in. Today’s tour with Sen. Jones was an exciting opportunity to see these important technologies up close. As Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, I’m working to ensure the Department of Energy can continue to advance these technologies to commercialization because they benefit the environment while also allowing us to maintain affordable and reliable electricity in the U.S. and lead globally,” Manchin said.

In April, the senators introduced the Enhancing Fossil Fuel Energy Carbon Technology Act to expand the DOE’s fossil energy research and development objectives and establish new research and development programs for carbon capture, utilization, storage and removal.