Public funds being used to support carbon capture projects, particularly through tax credits like Section 45Q of the United States Internal Revenue Code, raises valid ethical concerns. While the recent updates to 45Q provide significant financial incentives for CO2 storage, including higher credits for permanent underground storage and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) projects, the ultimate beneficiaries tend to be private entities rather than the public at large.

The intention behind these tax credits is to encourage investment in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies. However, the focus on financial gains for private industry, particularly in the oil and gas sector, undermines the objective of transitioning to a sustainable and renewable energy future. By offering generous subsidies and incentives primarily to companies involved in fossil fuel extraction, these policies perpetuate the status quo and impede the necessary shift towards cleaner energy alternatives.

This approach reflects a missed opportunity to allocate public funds towards more impactful and equitable solutions. Instead of prioritizing public interests, these financial incentives prioritize the profitability of private entities. As a result, public funds are used to support technologies that maintain the dependence on fossil fuels and prolong the associated environmental and social problems.

To address the climate crisis and achieve environmental justice, it is crucial to redirect public funds towards initiatives that prioritize renewable energy development, energy efficiency, and community-driven sustainable projects. This could include investing in renewable energy infrastructure, supporting community-led clean energy initiatives, and promoting energy conservation and efficiency measures. By focusing on these areas, public funds can be utilized to benefit society as a whole and drive a just transition to a sustainable and low-carbon future.

In summary, the use of public funds to support carbon capture projects through tax credits raises ethical concerns due to the prioritization of private gains over public interests. Shifting the focus of these incentives towards renewable energy and community-driven initiatives is necessary to address the urgent challenges posed by climate change and ensure a more equitable and sustainable future.