Lamar University

The Lamar University team, including Dr. Tracy Benson and Dr. Daniel Chen, have developed technical expertise and community engagement strategies within the CCS community. Our technical developments have focused on unique solvents for use as lower cost carbon capture absorbents as well as the risk assessments (i.e., environmental and economic impacts) of potential leaks within CO₂ pipeline networks along the ocean floor. From Chamber of Commerce Carbon Summits to teacher workshops and engineering summer camps, our community engagement encompasses current industry leaders and the next generation of STEM leaders for CCS.

Our role within TXLA CMC seeks to provide technical assistance to industry by building a clearinghouse matching carbon capture technologies to specific industries and to further develop environmental impacts and safety concerns of CO₂ releases from pipelines, barges, and truck transport operations. Our team’s goal is to strengthen community awareness of CCS operations, strategically integrating underserved communities with industrial economic opportunities. Establishing connections between extension services such as the Texas Workforce Commission, local governmental agencies, and local industries will be a key component for our public engagement.