This past Monday, we heard from Rory Johnson, a representative from Carbon 180, an NGO whose goal is to bring together technology and resources to people and policymakers.
More specifically, Carbon 180 is currently working on the “Regional Direct Air Capture Hubs Program”, a project that is meant to bring interest and investment to four hubs within the United States. The project counts with a $3.5B fund, and has some rigorous criteria when it comes to selecting these “hubs”. As per Congress requirements, these Hubs must be able to capture 1 million tonnes/CO2 at their starting point and should be set in a profitable geographic location(this location criterion can be interpreted differently depending on each investor proposition on carbon sequestration).
Furthermore, Carbon 180 suggests the implementation of DAC hubs in accordance with other policies(SCALE, IRA, CDRLA), developers, communities, and federal agencies, i.e., trying to consolidate a plan that benefits everyone. Rory also mentioned the importance of the Inflation Reduction Act, stating that its introduction fortified the existing 45Q tax credit, as well as the fact that it makes it easier for new technologies to qualify for lower-scale deployment.
Carbon 180 exemplifies the importance of having a well-rounded plan when it comes to NETs: you have the technology, but you have to work with your community, government, and developers for it to be successful.
NET Project 