Shredding Carbon Capture

Before ABLC 2023 concluded in DC, the Due Diligence Wolf Pack took the stage, and eying some limping caribous, tore them into molecular bits.  Direct Air Capture (DAC) received the most bites, unequivocally classified as “stupid, and a dangerous distraction.”  Despite the IRA 2022 45Q lowered threshold for DAC from 100,000 to 1,000 Mt CO2/year and also despite boosting the credit from $50/tonne to $130 or $180/tonne, the Wolves agreed that DAC is a last resort technology with no commercial value.  How last resort you ask?  According to the Wolves, “DAC is a terrible idea if the goal is to save the planet.”  Sorry DAC, your FID is SOL.  One saving grace, Direct Air Capture is a great idea if you’re a plant.  “Pulling 400 ppm [out of the atmosphere] is great if you’re photosynthetic and your energy is free.”  The Wolves conclusion is that soil carbon sequestration of organic matter in the form of plant roots is the OG air carbon capture solution nonpareil.