Barrasso, colleagues introduce Enhancing Energy Recovery Act

CHEYENNE (WNE)  — U.S. Sen. John Barrasso and five other Republicans on Wednesday introduced legislation to enhance carbon capture incentives and energy production.

The Enhancing Energy Recovery Act (S. 425) would create parity under the Section 45Q carbon capture tax credit by giving across-the-board, equal treatment for carbon captured for increased energy production, utilization and sequestration, said a news release from Barrasso’s office.

Barrasso’s co-sponsors are James Lankford, R-Okla.; Bill Cassidy, R-La.; John Hoeven, R-N.D.; Jim Justice, R-W. Va.; and Tim Sheehy, R-Mont.

“Wyoming proudly leads the way on carbon capture projects. We have used this technology to take carbon out of the air and find alternate, productive uses for it,” Barrasso said in the release. “Using carbon for enhanced oil and natural gas recovery has proven to significantly increase energy production while reducing carbon emissions.

“Changes to Section 45Q made it harder for American energy producers and manufacturers to take advantage of this credit.

Our bill will fix this policy and ensure equal treatment for energy production, utilization, and sequestration,” Barrasso continued. “By bolstering our national energy security, we can support Wyoming’s energy workers and lower costs for Americans across the country.”

The legislation is supported by the Wyoming Energy Authority, Petroleum Association of Wyoming, Carbon Utilization Research Council, Domestic Energy Producers Alliance, Independent Petroleum Association of America, National Rural Electric Cooperatives, CO2 Solutions Coalition and the Compressed Gas Association, the release said.

This story was published on February 6, 2025