"Nearly half the $2.7 billion in fossil research money spent by the Department of Energy over the last seven years supported nine carbon capture demonstration projects, the majority of which were canceled or withdrawn, according to a report yesterday from the Government Accountability Office.

The GAO analysis highlights an ongoing debate about carbon capture, utilization and sequestration (CCUS). Opponents say that CCUS had its shot and shouldn't get extensive federal support, while supporters say the technology has received less federal money than nuclear and other low-carbon sources and is a critical component of holding global temperatures at manageable levels.

Models show that the technology is needed to ensure temperature rise stays below 2 degrees Celsius, according to Erin Burns, a Third Way analyst, during a breakfast event this morning. She pointed to International Energy Agency data showing CCUS will be required at a much broader scale to meet climate targets."

Christa Marshall reports for Greenwire October 2, 2018. [2]