Texas Border Business
By-Glenn Hamer, President & CEO, Texas Association of Business
Texas has the ability to spearhead a new era of energy innovation as the carbon capture and storage (CCS) industry is presenting itself as a tremendous economic opportunity to lead in an all-of-the-above energy approach. The Lone Star State, long celebrated as a global energy powerhouse, now has a unique chance to bolster its dominance by embracing CCS technologies. This transformative technology offers a direct pathway to maintain our position as the energy capital of the nation while addressing critical environmental concerns.
A recent economic impact study by the Texas Association of Business (TAB) highlights the potential for CCS projects to inject $1.8 billion into the state’s economy through construction and ongoing operations. The study also estimates that these projects will create or support approximately 7,500 full-time jobs spanning multiple, highly skilled sectors such as construction labor, electrical power-line installers, and operations engineers. This is Texas at its best – delivering opportunities for hardworking Texans to excel in critical, in-demand industries. CCS projects are estimated to boost local tax revenues by $33.4 million, empowering communities to provide critical support for local services such as law enforcement and emergency services.
Dr. Matt Patton of Angelou Economics highlights this data and reiterates the economic impact of CCS projects:
“So, as we look at what CCS projects could mean across Southeast Texas, the average statewide impact would be close to $2 billion. The job ranges, these are pretty extraordinary, rounding out from about 1250 to nearly 17,000 jobs. We’re talking about employing folks that are highly skilled…We’re looking at an average wage of $45…county level tax revenues from the construction and operations are projected to increase roughly $33.4 million because of these types of projects. We’re looking at 30 to 300 fire trucks, 300 to 400 ambulances or anywhere from 225 to 670 law enforcement.”
By bypassing federal red tape and utilizing private sector innovation rather than government intervention, Texas can lead the way in creating more sustainable uses of energy while maintaining our free market reputation. Companies across Texas are already investing in CCS technologies, including the world’s biggest carbon capture facility being built by Occidental Petroleum, putting Texas at the forefront of innovation creating a viable path toward net-zero emissions and energy innovation.
Erin Burns, executive director of Carbon180, a climate NGO that works on a range of different carbon-removal options highlights the importance of this new Texan project:
“It’s an extraordinarily big moment for carbon removal right now and for direct air capture in particular.”
Carbon capture and storage is more than just a tool to reduce emissions—it’s a transformative opportunity for Texas to solidify its energy leadership for generations to come. By embracing CCS as part of an all-of-the-above energy approach, Texas can foster economic growth, environmental stewardship, and community investment. By redefining the economic viability of the private sector, The Lone Star State could redefine what it means to lead in energy innovation, creating high-paying jobs, and bolstering local economies. CCS projects can ensure that Texas remains the backbone of the nation’s energy economy.
TAB extends its gratitude to Angelou Economics for providing data illustrating the potential economic impact of CCS projects and ExxonMobil for their contributions to advancing carbon capture and storage technology. Their efforts exemplify the collaborative spirit and forward-thinking approach that define Texas’s energy leadership. Thank you for your dedication to ensuring Texas remains at the forefront of energy innovation.
To read the full TAB Economic Impact Study, click here.
