Implementing Societal Considerations and Energy Justice into FECM's Carbon Management R&D

To reach U.S. climate goals of net-zero emissions economy-wide by 2050, the United States will likely have to capture, transport, and permanently sequester significant quantities of carbon dioxide (Larson et al., 2020). In addition, there is growing scientific consensus that carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS) and carbon dioxide removal (CDR) will likely play an important role in decarbonization efforts globally (IPCC, 2018). The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) envisions enabling the demonstration and ultimately deployment of technologies for carbon management and mitigating challenges of fossil fuel use in a just and sustainable way, with the goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century (FECM, 2022). Building the clean energy economy will create new infrastructure that holds the potential to drive new regional economic development, technological innovation, and high-wage employment for communities across the United States as we work to make progress on the nation’s climate goals. At the same time, it is critical to understand and address the societal considerations and impacts of these projects at local, regional, and global levels. This presentation will share how FECM is implementing the principles of energy and environmental justice throughout the planning, processes, and outcomes of its work in alignment with Executive Orders 14008 and 13985 (Federal Register 2021a, 2021b); share lessons learned from early, two-way community and regional engagement efforts discussing carbon management; and discuss requirements for Community Benefit Plans necessary for FECM funded projects R&D. <br/><br/>References:<br/><br/>Federal Register, 2021a. Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. Retrieved from Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/02/01/2021-02177/tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home- <br/> <br/>Federal Register, 2021b. Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government. Retrieved from Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01753/advancing-racial-equity-and-support- <br/><br/>Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM), 2022. Strategic Vision: The Role of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management in Achieving Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions. 2022-Strategic-Vision-The-Role-of-Fossil-Energy-and-Carbon-Management-in-Achieving-Net-Zero-Greenhouse-Gas-Emissions_Updated-4.28.22.pdf <br/> <br/>Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), 2018: Summary for Policymakers. In: Global Warming of 1.5°C. An IPCC Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways, in the context of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change, sustainable development, and efforts to eradicate poverty [Masson-Delmotte, V., P. Zhai, H.-O. Pörtner, D. Roberts, J. Skea, P.R. Shukla, A. Pirani, W. Moufouma-Okia, C. Péan, R. Pidcock, S. Connors, J.B.R. Matthews, Y. Chen, X. Zhou, M.I. Gomis, E. Lonnoy, T. Maycock, M. Tignor, and T. Waterfield (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA, pp. 3-24. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009157940.001 <br/> <br/>Larson, E., Greig, C., Jenkins, J., Mayfield, E., Pascale, A., Zhang, C., Drossman, J., Williams, R., Pacala, S., Socolow, R., Baik, E., Birdsey, R., Duke, R., Jones, R., Haley, B., Leslie, E., Paustian, K., & Swan, A. (2020, December 15). Net-Zero America: Potential Pathways, Infrastructure, and Impacts, interim report. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University. https://netzeroamerica.princeton.edu/the-report National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), 2021. Accelerating Decarbonization of the U.S. Energy System. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25932