Saint Paul, MN — Carbon capture legislation authored by State Representative Spencer Igo, R-Wabana Township, received a hearing today in the House Sustainable Policy Committee. House File 342 would make it a policy of the State of Minnesota to support the development and deployment of carbon capture and sequestration technologies in Minnesota.
Igo spoke about the importance of utilizing this technology as a means to help Minnesota businesses and industries adhere to new emission standards.
“This is a policy that can help industries like mining, logging, manufacturing, agriculture, and much more reach new emissions standards without negatively impacting the goods, services, materials, and jobs they provide to Minnesotans,” said Igo. “The good news is that this technology exists, and Minnesota can step forward and be a national leader in showing that protecting the environment and reducing greenhouse gas emissions does not need to come at the expense of Minnesota workers.”
Carbon capture technologies refer to a collection of methods that capture carbon dioxide generated by burning fossil fuels before it is released into the atmosphere, thus reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
Rep. Igo was joined at Wednesday’s hearing by the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49 and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce who both testified in support of the bill.
House File 342 was laid over for possible inclusion in a later omnibus bill.
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