Prospects for large-scale deployment of carbon capture technologies in the next decade improved at the end of 2020 due to actions at the federal level. First, the omnibus spending package included both a two-year extension of the 45Q tax credit and massive increases in federal support for research, demonstration, and development of the suite of carbon capture management tools: capture, removal, transport, utilization, and storage. Second, the Internal Revenue Service finalized long-awaited regulations for 45Q that will provide certainty to investors and project developers. These actions boost momentum going into 2021 to grow support for priorities needed to build projects at the speed and scale required for meeting midcentury climate goals.
Great Plains Institute convened the first CO2NNECT Virtual event on December 14, which highlighted the recently released and first-of-its-kind analysis from Rhodium Group that focused on the potential job growth and economic impact of carbon capture deployment in the near- to medium-term to help meet midcentury decarbonization goals. The event included an analytical presentation by Rhodium Group followed by a reaction panel discussion moderated by former US Senator Heidi Heitkamp. 
Congress has a window of opportunity during the lame duck session to pass the most significant energy legislation in over a decade—legislation that would advance American energy innovation, drive deployment of low- and zero-carbon technology and infrastructure, increase jobs, and reduce emissions across the economy. Bipartisan energy legislation, which passed in the House and is under consideration in the Senate, can put the US on a path to economic recovery and long-term emissions reductions. 
A new 
The Carbon Capture Coalition released a 
Capturing Carbon in Nebraska was a three-part webinar series hosted by the Great Plains Institute and Battelle Memorial Institute, which focused on carbon capture, utilization, and storage opportunities in Nebraska. Battelle led project activities, which included geologic characterization of commercial storage sites in Nebraska and Kansas, project risk assessment of an integrated CCUS project in the Midcontinent, regulatory and permitting issues, commercialization and planning of commercial CCUS projects, and public outreach. The series was a product of the Integrated Midcontinent Stacked Carbon Storage Hub research project funded by the 
Great Plains Institute Vice President for Carbon Management Brad Crabtree submitted 