Sep 25, 2023 By Diana Irey Vaughan 4 min read

After nearly three decades as a Washington County commissioner, I’ve learned a few things about bringing people together to foster a thriving business environment. When it comes to economic development, the key is to always stay a step ahead. You have to anticipate economic trends, look for innovative solutions, and understand your own strengths.

So, what’s the next big economic opportunity for Pennsylvania? Carbon capture and storage is at the top of my list.

As companies in all industries and of all sizes respond to demand from customers to lower their carbon footprint, carbon capture and storage technology offers a safe, proven method of providing cleaner energy without jeopardizing the products that we depend on every day. With our rich history in energy and manufacturing innovation, Pennsylvania has the experienced workforce, eager business community, and scientific expertise to be a national leader in carbon capture and storage.

Other states like Louisiana and Texas are already racing to take advantage of new federal investments and attract carbon capture development from companies. For Pennsylvania to stay ahead, Gov. Josh Shapiro and legislative leaders in Harrisburg will have to make expanding this essential technology a priority in the fall legislative session. Without strong action, Pennsylvania risks being left behind.

If Pennsylvania makes the commitment to carbon capture and storage technology, it will allow existing companies in energy production, petrochemical, and manufacturing industries to expand and attract new companies looking for low-carbon energy sources. It would provide long-term stability for industries that provide thousands of well-paying jobs, many of which don’t require an expensive college degree, and offer a better future for families in Western Pennsylvania. Expanding carbon capture and storage to scale would create thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of permanent jobs per project.

Additionally, carbon capture and storage can provide significant health benefits to both rural and urban communities, resulting from major improvements to air quality. A recent study showed that processes to capture carbon will also reduce other emissions, like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter that could improve the quality of life for children, seniors, and adults with asthma and other severe respiratory conditions. This is the first study to quantify these health benefits, showing as much as $313 million in value for Pennsylvania and other regional states.

Finally, with the rapid development of natural gas, Pennsylvanians have been at the forefront of making our country energy independent. Thanks to the ingenuity and determination of our workforce, Pennsylvania is the second leading producer of natural gas, behind only Texas. Unlike many other clean energy technologies, carbon capture and storage would allow us to continue to rely on the plentiful natural resources we have right here at home. With instability abroad, we cannot abandon our position as a leading energy exporter, capable of supporting ourselves and our allies.

Early in my tenure as a commissioner, Washington County saw an opportunity to rebuild a strong industrial base in the Marcellus Shale and, as a result of that hard work from many people throughout our community, we are one of the most vital energy regions east of the Mississippi River. Through public-private partnerships, we were able to streamline new development and entice companies to our communities. Now, business parks in Washington County are filled with energy companies. Our efforts have been so successful that Washington County ranked third in the nation in job growth in 2010. With the Marcellus Shale, we were looking ahead.

Today, we are at a similar critical juncture as we move into a lower-carbon future. That’s why carbon capture and storage must be one of the tools that legislative leaders bring to Pennsylvania to reduce emissions, create good jobs, and improve the quality of life for people across the commonwealth. If we do, it will be a historic achievement that will create a brighter future for every Pennsylvanian.

Diana Irey Vaughan is a Washington County commissioner.