NETL is announcing that the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) anticipates soliciting applications for additional projects similar to those solicited under DE-FOA-0002730. These projects would receive funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to conduct front-end engineering and design (FEED) studies that support and accelerate the planning for carbon dioxide (CO₂) transport from anthropogenic sources to CO₂ conversion or secure geologic storage locations. Carbon capture sources may include a combination of CO₂ removal (e.g., direct air capture and biomass carbon removal and storage (BiCRS)), and point sources (e.g., industrial and power generation).  All modes of CO₂ transport (pipeline, truck, rail, barge, and ship), including any combination of transport modes, may be considered. If a solicitation is issued, it could be a reissuance of funding opportunity announcement (FOA), DE-FOA-0002730, or a new solicitation.

Many CO₂ emitters (such as fossil energy power plants, ethanol facilities and other industrial operations) are not located near suitable geologic CO₂ storage sites. A CO₂ transport network is required to connect these CO₂ sources to locations that will use the CO₂ as a feedstock to manufacture chemicals and other products or to permanently store CO₂ in targeted, suitable subsurface geologic formations. Projects will accelerate the development of a large-scale carbon storage industry needed to achieve the Administration’s goals calling for net-zero carbon emissions in the power sector by 2035 and the broader economy by 2050.

NETL expects that applications submitted to the solicitation would be similar in form and function to applications previously submitted to DE-FOA-0002730; however, specific application instructions and requirements will be included in the solicitation, if it is released. Interested parties are encouraged to closely monitor the NETL solicitations web page for this potential funding opportunity. If released, the solicitation could be anticipated to be issued in the first or second quarter of FY25.

NETL will manage any selected projects.

NETL is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory that drives innovation and delivers solutions for an environmentally sustainable and prosperous energy future. By leveraging its world-class talent and research facilities, NETL is ensuring affordable, abundant and reliable energy that drives a robust economy and national security, while developing technologies to manage carbon across the full life cycle, enabling environmental sustainability for all Americans.