Hiar, C. (2023, November 27). First U.S. Direct Air Capture Plant opens in California. E&E News by POLITICO. https://www.eenews.net/articles/first-u-s-direct-air-capture-plant-opens-in-california/
A direct carbon capture plant, the first of its kind in the United States, was opened in California. The plant, made by Heirloom Carbon Technologies, uses sheets of limestone that pull carbon dioxide from the air. A kiln then separates the carbon from the limestone. The carbon is permanently stored, and the limestone can be reused. The plant will remove 1,000 tons of CO2 from the air in the next year. Comparatively, that is not much, but the carbon capture plant represents a future for the carbon capture industry. Right now, it is the only way of directly “unpolluting” the environment.
Even though the carbon capture plant will remove an amount of carbon that barely compares to the amount of carbon emitted into the atmosphere each year, it is still crucial. If we are to slow the pollution of the atmosphere, the United States has to start somewhere. I’m hoping that this industry of direct carbon capture can take off throughout the United States to begin capturing larger and more significant amounts of carbon dioxide. The fact that the process is sustainable is essential, too – limestone can be reused, and the kiln uses renewable energy. Direct carbon capture is needed if we are to stop the worst effects of climate change, and the United States can advance this industry tremendously.
I agree this has a significant impact to the start of decreasing emissions in the atmosphere. It is important to address the U.S.’ first carbon capture plant by Heirloom Carbon Technologies. This makes me wonder what are some other long-term goals and prospects for direct carbon capture initiatives in the U.S. and if we can implement these strategies in other states besides California.
I agree that although the amount of emissions consumed by this machine is small compared to how much we produce, it is important to highlight the good parts of it. This is an important step for the carbon capture industry and I find it very cool that we can trap and reuse the carbon in limestone. Are there any plans to make the machines more efficient?