(The Center Square) – The Michigan Senate recently passed new legislation that will fast track the use of carbon capture and storage in Michigan.

State Sen. John Cherry is one of the group of three bipartisan legislators leading the charge on the carbon capture bill package. The Center Square spoke with him in an exclusive interview regarding the legislation.

“One of the key pieces to understand is Michigan has excellent geology for carbon sequestration,” Cherry said. “As we are moving to a place where we want to reach carbon neutrality, a key piece of that is going to be carbon sequestration.”

Cherry proposed one of three bills that are part of the carbon capture bill package. Senate Bills 394 through 396 were introduced earlier this year and passed the Democrat-held Senate in September.

Together, the bills establish a state regulatory framework and permitting process for carbon sequestration, commonly referred to as carbon capture. Carbon capture is the process of capturing carbon dioxide in the air and storing it in rock formations underground.

Cherry said a bipartisan group has come together to push for its passage.

“If you look at the coalition that’s behind it, it contains folks from a wide variety of backgrounds,” he explained. “The fact that it is good policy, both from a ratepayer perspective and as an investment in taking the dollars raised and investing it in the communities and natural resources of our state, really makes it easier to reach bipartisan consensus.”

The Michigan SUCCESS Coalition is one of the groups leading the push for carbon capture and storage technology.

“Expanded use of CCUS technology will accelerate the decarbonization of Michigan’s essential manufacturing facilities, which will protect jobs, create new CCUS construction jobs, and incentivize new economic development investments,” it said in its endorsement of the legislation.

This is all part of Michigan’s broader clean energy goals.

In 2020, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive directive directing the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to develop the MI Healthy Climate Plan. That is the state’s action plan to “reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition toward economy-wide carbon neutrality.”

One of that plan’s primary objectives is to help Michigan reach 100% carbon neutrality by 2050. Cherry said his carbon capture legislation will help meet that goal.

“Having the framework by which we can do that [carbon sequestration] gives Michigan a competitive advantage, and also allows for the state to reach its energy goals,” he said.

Following the passage of the bill package, the Michigan League of Conservation Voters released a statement expressing its concerns. 

“At a time when energy costs are skyrocketing, this legislation adds additional burdens to Michigan energy customers without providing guarantees that these projects will deliver real benefits, so as passed by the Senate, it is a bad deal for Michigan energy customers and taxpayers,” said Ben Poulson, state government affairs director for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. “Instead of creating excuses for fossil fuel plants to pollute even more, we should be stopping carbon emissions at the source by expanding cleaner, more affordable renewable energy sources that we know will save ratepayers money.”

Cherry addressed those concerns, saying that carbon capture could be a cheaper alternative to reaching the state’s clean energy goals.

“Putting additional options on the table doesn’t increase the cost,” he said.

He pointed out that utility companies in the state are required to file Integrated Resource Plans, which details how those companies will meet energy needs in the cheapest way possible.

“There is nothing in the legislation that says they have to do this before wind or solar,” Cherry said. “It’s understanding that technology and markets evolve over time. So, you have options, and then you go to the most cost effective option at the time that you are making your decisions.”