[PradeepIV]

This is a summary of my blog article on technology and policy implications of US cement CO2 emissions.

A majority of CO2 emissions from cement production arise from the raw material (calcium carbonate) calcination rather than fuel use, and this needs innovative solutions. Examples of processes that enable easier capture of CO2 (ITM-, CA- based), processes which convert the CO2 either into fuels or mineral carbonates, and processes which replace cement-based concrete in innovative ways were discussed. Although the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) does not regulate CO2 emissions from cement plants currently, the Western Climate Initiative will likely include cement plants in its regional cap-and-trade program. The MidWestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord might also regulate CO2 emissions from cement plants. Given that some of the largest cement plants in the US are located in states participating in the WCI, the cement industry should be prepared for this and future federal legislations. Intra-US carbon leakage will probably be negligible for the cement industry because the cement plants are located either close to the markets or close to the limestone quarries (due to high transportation costs). On the other hand, robust policies need to be enacted to ensure that the US cement industry remains competitive with imported cement to prevent carbon leakage out of the US (which does not reduce global GHG emissions).
In the short-term, processes which utilize CO2 would provide low-cost CO2 offsets to cement producers, whereas the long-term approach likely involves developing the infrastructure for low-cost carbon capture and storage (CCS).