House passes Senate carbon sequestration bill — a key element in hydrogen power production

Jan. 19—MORGANTOWN — A Senate bill to allow for carbon sequestration under state lands cleared the House on Thursday and will return to the Senate.SB 162 allows the Division of Natural Resources, with approval of the Commerce secretary, to lease state-owned pore spaces underlying state forests, natural and scenic areas, wildlife management areas and other lands under its jurisdiction for underground carbon sequestration.Carbon sequestration will play a role in West Virginia’s energy future, state leaders and members of West Virginia’s Congressional delegation have said many times, particularly as hydrogen power production—still in its infancy—advances and the state is working to have a federal hydrogen hub located here.The leases would be offered via sealed bids to the highest responsible bidder, with the proviso that DNR may reject all bids and re-advertise, should the round…

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