October 3, 2022
GAO Spotlights Ethanol Production as Prime Carbon Capture Opportunity
Late last week, the U.S. Government Accountability Office published a technology assessment on carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), drawing on findings from peer-reviewed literature, a meeting of experts, and stakeholder interviews that included the Renewable Fuels Association.
Overall, the research found that out of all the potential sources of carbon dioxide for CCUS that GAO examined—power generation, cement, iron and steel, direct air capture, and ethanol—ethanol is the most promising. At a time when decarbonization is essential for a climate-friendly future, the GAO report makes clear that policymakers should embrace ethanol as the best available near-term opportunity for transformative and sustainable CCUS. GAO reached the following conclusions about ethanol’s viability as a source for CCUS:
Ann Lewis, RFA Senior Analyst