Though we’ve had our fair share of criticisms of the DOE’s Fossil Energy (FE) program and would welcome changes, we’re skeptical of the FY22 budget requests proposal to “revitalize,” rename, and increase funding for the Office. The language notes carbon capture and storage (CCS), hydrogen, and direct air capture as technologies that could all benefit from the revamp. But with limited details, it is hard to say if FE version 2.0 will end up being giveaway 2.0 million to the fossil fuel industry (we may exaggerate slightly). We do know that Congress has sunk billions of dollars into CCS technology through the FE program over the last couple decades, including support for several demonstration projects that flopped. Re-infusing the program with cash only invites more costly calamity.

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