CO2 Pipeline Resistance to Congress: Cut the Waste, Repeal 45Q

45Q Delegation in Washington DC outside the Capitol

Constituents Talking with Finstad's Staff

*99.9% of the tax credits are claimed by massive oil and gas interests.

Walking outside in D.C.

Carbon capture is the most expensive, least effective climate mitigation strategy.

Outside Fischbach's Office

 

Last week, I traveled to the Capitol with a small but determined group of Minnesotans: landowners, farmers, and community members who are experiencing the threats posed by the carbon capture industry. We didn’t just come for a photo op; we came with a message for Congress: it’s time to end the reckless and wasteful tax breaks to the carbon capture industry.

The 45Q tax credit – a multi-billion-dollar handout to fossil fuel companies —has driven a surge of proposed carbon pipelines across rural America.* On paper, these projects promise climate solutions. In reality, they’re another way for big corporations to rake in public dollars from projects that put rural peoples’ land, water, and safety at risk.

Right now, Congress has a chance to put an end to it. A bipartisan bill (H.R. 1946) was recently introduced to repeal the 45Q tax credit, cutting off the financial incentives that drive these projects. This bill would not put an end to carbon capture by any means, but it would stop billions of public dollars from flowing to the oil and gas interests that benefit most.

Over our two days in D.C., we spoke with staff from several congressional offices, including Rep. Finstad, Rep. Fischbach, Sen. Klobuchar, Rep. Omar, and Sen. Smith. We talked about soil damage from pipeline construction and the use of carbon capture for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). We were surprised by how many staffers still believed that 45Q is essential for carbon reduction.

But we weren’t the only ones talking about carbon pipelines at the Capitol this past week. Fossil fuel and biofuel industry lobbyists were also out in force, pushing to preserve and expand 45Q.

The fight is far from over, but our message is clear: public money should not fund projects that endanger rural communities to line the pockets of Big Oil. If we need to cut waste, this is where we should start. We look to Congress to take action—starting with support for HR1946 to repeal this misguided tax credit.

Peg Furshong
Co-lead of the No Carbon Pipelines MN campaign

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Kelsey Olson

Kelsey Olson

Director of Environmental Stewardship

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Kelsey Olson (she/her) joined CURE in 2025 as its Director of Environmental Stewardship. As a skilled environmental naturalist, Kelsey’s work focuses broadly on environmental education and advocacy with a keen focus on rural land use and how that use impacts our environment and climate. Working Lands, how land is used to support agriculture and forestry, is a key focus of her work. She brings 15 years’ experience in public communication, environmental education, and rural community engagement – strong communication strategies are core in her work. This includes two terms of service with AmeriCorps in the VISTA program in Oregon and Maryland and a nearly 10-year career as a naturalist followed. She recently worked on communications and marketing for rural economic development.

Kelsey lives in New London, MN, with her young children, husband, dog, and two cats. They enjoy spending time together outside and finding small treasures in nature. Visits to Minneapolis often include visits to one of their favorite historical museums, the Minnesota Swedish Institute. Kelsey enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, whether this is canning local produce, making kombucha, or other treats!