Washington state’s CleanTech Alliance has received a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration to launch a hub focused on carbon removal, storage, and utilization, as well as support for carbon purchasing. The hub, known as the Washington Energy – Carbon Advancement Network (WECAN), will receive approximately $500,000 per year over five years to fund staff and programming. This grant was one of 14 awarded by the SBA to establish regional innovation clusters, and it was the only one granted in the Pacific Northwest.
As efforts to combat the release of carbon dioxide and other planet-warming pollutants continue to fall behind, there is a growing urgency to develop ways to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Some of the carbon-related startups currently operating in Washington state include Twelve, a sustainable aviation fuel manufacturer, CarbonQuest, a company building carbon capturing devices, Banyu Carbon, a startup working on technology to extract carbon dioxide from the ocean, Ebb Carbon, a startup focused on removing carbon from the air, and Myno Carbon, which is producing biochar to store carbon. These startups are at the forefront of carbon removal innovations in the region.
Another carbon consortium currently underway in the Pacific Northwest is the Ankeron Carbon Management Hub, which received $3 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to conduct a two-year study on the science, feasibility, job creation, and community impacts of carbon removal in the region. The group is exploring opportunities for capturing and storing carbon, as well as turning it into other compounds like sustainable aviation fuels. The Pacific Northwest has also received federal hub designations for hydrogen fuel, sustainable mass timber building materials, and lightweight aircraft, further solidifying its position as a leader in climate-related initiatives.
The establishment of the WECAN hub and the work being done by carbon-related startups and existing carbon consortiums in the Pacific Northwest highlight the region’s commitment to addressing the urgent issue of carbon removal. With increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change, these initiatives are crucial in developing innovative solutions to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. By investing in research and technology that focus on carbon removal, storage, and utilization, Washington state is at the forefront of addressing the global challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The funding from the SBA will support the WECAN hub in its efforts to advance carbon removal technologies and support startups working in this space. With a focus on carbon removal, storage, and utilization, the hub will play a key role in driving innovation and creating opportunities for job creation in the carbon removal sector. By bringing together key stakeholders and resources, the hub aims to accelerate the development and deployment of carbon removal solutions that can help address the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Overall, the WECAN hub and other initiatives in the Pacific Northwest are integral in advancing carbon removal technologies and addressing the pressing issue of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By focusing on research, innovation, and collaboration, the region is leading the way in developing solutions to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. With the support of the SBA grant and other funding sources, Washington state is well-positioned to make significant strides in the fight against climate change and contribute to a more sustainable future for the planet.
