Rural communities have an important role to play in advancing and shaping the transition to low- carbon energy and manufacturing across the United States. The significant growth of natural gas in Tioga County and other Marcellus Shale communities over the last two decades demonstrates how collaborative policymaking between state and local leaders can harness affordable, cleaner sources of energy to create good paying jobs and expand economic development across our region.

In 2024, our Commonwealth has an opportunity to take another giant step forward. With smart investments, emerging technologies like carbon capture and storage (CCS) can catapult communities like Tioga County even further into the forefront of meeting growing consumer demand for low-carbon energy, goods, and materials. Utilizing CCS, natural gas can continue to be a vital resource in maintaining our energy security, creating job opportunities and producing products that we depend on every day while improving our environment.

Carbon capture and storage may sound new, but it was developed more than 50 years ago. It has been thoroughly studied by leading experts, including at Penn State, and is a proven technology that can capture carbon emissions from existing energy production and manufacturing facilities before they reach the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide (CO2) can then be safely and permanently stored deep underground, at least half a mile below the surface.

Carbon capture and storage is especially vital in energy intensive, difficult-to-decarbonize sectors like steel, concrete and other manufacturing processes that require steady sources of energy. CCS can also be used in power generation to provide cleaner, reliable power to our homes and businesses around the clock.

Pennsylvania has the unique geological formations, skilled workforce and concentration of industries needed to make our Commonwealth a leader in utilizing carbon capture and storage. As many as 5,000 additional jobs could be created retrofitting and constructing each carbon capture and storage project along with hundreds more in permanent operational roles. Jobs in the energy industry pay a livable wage and often don’t require an expensive college degree.

New research from the Great Plains Institute also illustrates how carbon capture technology can reduce emissions beyond just CO2. Carbon capture would significantly improve our air quality by capturing other emissions like sulfur dioxide and particulate matter, which would have immense health benefits for people in both rural and urban environments.

Although it would have numerous benefits for our Commonwealth, CCS technology cannot flourish without additional action from Governor Shapiro and state legislators. Tioga County’s State Senator, Gene Yaw, has led the effort to advance a bill in the legislature that would create the first significant framework for operating CCS in Pennsylvania. Both Republicans and Democrats in Harrisburg have expressed support for expanding CCS and they should prioritize working together to pass Senator Yaw’s legislation this year. Pennsylvania can’t be left behind as other states like Texas and Louisiana work to attract CCS projects in their communities.

As a life-long dairy farmer, I believe we must be responsible stewards of our environment so it can be protected and preserved for future generations. This value is widely shared among those have chosen to make their livelihoods in agriculture. County commissioners across our Commonwealth have voiced support for emerging energy technologies like CCS because improving our environment does not have to come at the expense of economic growth. Carbon capture and storage can unite a diverse coalition of people across Pennsylvania and throughout rural America to solve these important challenges and bring greater prosperity to local communities.

The growth of the natural gas industry in Pennsylvania has contributed greatly to Tioga County and its residents. CCS is the next chapter in our Commonwealth’s storied history as an energy leader. Let’s come together to ensure that Pennsylvania becomes the model for responsibly reducing carbon emissions without sacrificing the energy sources that keep our economy strong.

Erick Coolidge served for 28 years as County Commissioner in Tioga County and Chaired the Oil and Gas Task Force over 14 years for the County Commissioner’s Association of Pennsylvania.