Overview
Title
Notice of Intent Regarding Launching a Carbon Transport Research, Development and Demonstration Consortium
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Energy Department wants to start a group that will figure out how to move carbon better by things like trains and ships. They want different people, like companies and schools in the U.S., to work together on this, but there are some questions about how the group will run and how they will make sure everything is fair and useful.
Summary AI
The Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management is planning to launch a Carbon Transport Research, Development, and Demonstration Consortium to support the advancement and coordination of carbon transport methods, including pipeline and rail. This initiative aims to foster communication among stakeholders, share information on research, and address challenges identified during a 2023 workshop. The consortium will comprise a diverse group of U.S.-based entities, such as federal and tribal agencies, industry, and academia. Interested parties are invited to share their input by January 21, 2025, and details on membership requirements are available online.
Abstract
The Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM), Department of Energy (DOE), is issuing this NOI to notify interested parties of its intent to launch a "Carbon Transport Research, Development and Demonstration (RD&D) Consortium (the Consortium)" to identify and coordinate carbon transport RD&D efforts (e.g., pipeline, rail, truck, ship, and barge transportation); facilitate communication among stakeholders; and compile and curate information in an open access platform. The DOE initially sought input from stakeholders through a Request for Information DE-FOA-0003330 (RFI 3330) (www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/ default.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2ffedconnect%2f%3fdoc%3dDE-FOA- 0003330%26agency%3dDOE&doc=DE-FOA-0003330&agency=DOE) issued on September 18, 2024. Through this NOI, the DOE is establishing a second opportunity to obtain information that could be used to inform DOE's decisions on the initiation of the Consortium and to gauge interest in participating in the Consortium. FECM intends to launch the Consortium after reviewing responses to RFI 3330 and this NOI. Parties that express interest in joining the Consortium, either through this NOI or through RFI 3330, will be contacted via email with instructions on how to officially register to join.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) is signaling its intention to establish a Carbon Transport Research, Development, and Demonstration Consortium aimed at advancing carbon transport methods across various platforms such as pipelines, rail, and shipping. The initiative is designed to foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders, share ongoing research, and tackle challenges identified during a workshop in 2023. It plans to include a broad spectrum of participants, such as federal agencies, tribal governments, industry, and academia, in the United States. Input from interested parties is being sought before January 21, 2025, with further details about membership accessible online.
General Summary
At its core, this document outlines a strategic intent by the DOE to pull together a wide range of participants into a unified effort to enhance carbon transport technologies. The focus is on collaborative research and development to overcome existing barriers and streamline efforts in carbon capture, utilization, and storage. The consortium aims to be a hub for information exchange and project coordination, underpinning efforts to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Several concerns arise from the document. Firstly, there is an absence of financial details that makes it challenging to gauge the cost-effectiveness and potential fiscal impact of establishing and operating the consortium. Another concern is the ambiguity surrounding the prioritization and allocation of resources among different research and development activities and stakeholders. Additionally, certain aspects of joining procedures and membership criteria, such as the stipulation of U.S. citizenship for some committee roles, lack clarity. Furthermore, the document does not address the potential risk of overlapping responsibilities with existing initiatives, which could result in redundant efforts.
There is also a lack of specified measures for maintaining transparency and accountability within the consortium's operations. The absence of mechanisms to evaluate the effectiveness of the consortium's activities is another gap, which is critical for ensuring progress and value in the initiative.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
For the general public, the successful establishment and operation of this consortium could contribute significantly to the broader goal of reducing carbon emissions through advancements in carbon transport technologies. This aligns with the global environmental agenda of combating climate change and may lead to more sustainable industrial practices.
Specific stakeholders, such as industries involved in carbon transport, could benefit from access to cutting-edge research and potential collaboration opportunities. This could enhance their operations by reducing costs or improving efficiencies. Academic institutions might also find new avenues for research and student engagement, contributing to educational and scientific growth.
However, there may be challenges for smaller organizations or those unfamiliar with the intricacies of federal funding and project collaboration, who might find the complex language used to describe committee structures and roles overwhelming. This complexity could limit the participation of otherwise valuable contributors and pose barriers to broader stakeholder engagement. Additionally, if not properly managed, the consortium could result in inefficiencies or funding misallocation.
In summary, while the proposed consortium promises significant benefits towards advancing carbon transport methods, the document presents several areas that require clarification and strategic planning. Addressing these issues could ensure that the initiative achieves its objectives efficiently and inclusively.
Issues
• The document does not provide specific financial details about the funding or costs associated with the creation and operation of the Carbon Transport RD&D Consortium, making it difficult to assess potential wasteful spending.
• There is a lack of clarity regarding how the Consortium will prioritize and allocate resources among the various RD&D efforts and stakeholders.
• The process for expressing interest and joining the Consortium could be made clearer, particularly in terms of eligibility and any associated costs or commitments.
• The language used to describe the structure and roles of the different committees is complex and may be difficult for laypersons to understand, potentially limiting stakeholder engagement.
• The criteria for the 'U.S. citizen' requirement for committee members from non-governmental organizations, industry, and other subject matter experts should be clearly defined.
• The potential overlap or redundancy of RD&D efforts, particularly concerning existing initiatives or consortia in carbon transport, is not addressed, which could lead to duplication of efforts.
• The document does not specify measures for ensuring transparency and accountability in the Consortium's operations and decision-making processes.
• There is no mention of specific mechanisms for evaluating the effectiveness and impact of the Consortium’s activities, which is important for continuous improvement and value assessment.
• The benefits section does not quantify or provide measurable outcomes, which may help assess the Consortium's success in meeting its objectives.