Biden's climate law may boost oil production through enhanced recovery

Oil companies could use tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act to extract more crude from existing wells through enhanced oil recovery, which injects CO2 underground to dislodge oil.

Shelby Webb reports for E&E News.


In short:

  • The Inflation Reduction Act boosts tax credits for storing CO2, incentivizing its use for oil recovery.
  • Critics argue weak oversight allows companies to claim tax benefits without effectively storing CO2.
  • Environmentalists say enhanced oil recovery (EOR) undermines climate goals by encouraging fossil fuel production.

Key quote:

“There’s a lot of money from the [Inflation Reduction Act], and a lot of concerns that taxpayer money is going out the door to industry that hasn’t proven EOR to be an efficient climate solution.”

— Autumn Hanna, vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense

Why this matters:

EOR could help oil companies extend well production while claiming climate-friendly tax credits. Without better oversight, it’s unclear whether this will actually reduce carbon emissions.

Related: Biden faces challenges in curbing US oil production

A view of servers with multicolored buttons

Bills would require, incentivize Delaware data centers to bring their own power

Delaware legislators are scrambling to address concerns about data centers raising residents’ energy bills before the legislative session ends.
A view of stadium seats leading to a green field

World Cup venues achieve LEED sustainability certification

Most of the stadiums for this year's FIFA World Cup are now considered green buildings and the majority earned their certification in the run-up to the tournament.
Packed soccer stadium with signage advertising various corporate sponsors

The FIFA World Cup is brought to you by Saudi oil: These fans and players want to stop it

Environmental advocates, doctors, and even players themselves demanding that FIFA cut ties with the fossil fuel industry, which they say is adversely impacting players' health, and threatening the future of the sport itself.

Flood aftermath with House sitting on an overturned blue Ford pickup truck.

A new DC ‘museum’ raises awareness about the looming consequences of extreme weather

At the Museum of Unnatural Disasters, members of Congress, disaster survivors, and activists are bringing their worries about preparedness to the seat of power.

Solar panels in a desert with sand dunes and a starry sky behind

As hot summer, blackouts loom, Iraq looks to solar power

With so much sunlight, Iraq is very well-positioned to use solar power to help fix its annual summer electricity crisis. So why is it that Iraq's government has only recently started to take solar power seriously?
Beef with tabs of butter on an outdoor grill

MAHA’s CAFO conundrum

In its push for more meat eating, MAHA faces a challenging truth: current and future meat demand depends almost entirely on massive, concentrated animal feeding operations, CAFOs.
A lone package of grain on otherwise empty supermarket shelves
Credit: FTiare/BigStock Photo ID: 363250528

‘Immediate national priority’: ministers accused of complacency over UK food supply

Cold storage and logistics body warns food supplies are at risk from fuel shortages, cyber attacks, and extreme weather.

From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.