Problems with Q45 Tax Credits for Carbon – Paul Blackburn

Climate Money Watchdog

Our guest tonight is Paul Blackburn of Pipeline Fighters’ Hub. Paul provides legal services on pipeline and renewable energy matters. He has worked on crude oil pipeline issues since 2008, and has experience in renewable energy policy and development. Paul represented nonprofit clients in the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission hearing on the Keystone XL Pipeline, and in the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission hearing on expansion of Line 67, another Enbridge pipeline. He has provided policy analysis and strategic advice on a variety of pipeline matters and authored reports on pipeline safety and oil spill response.

Paul started his legal career in Washington, DC, at the law firm of Van Ness Feldman, where he assisted clients in renewable energy and coal-fired power plant development, a variety of regulatory, legislative, and litigation matters, and Native American commercial law. After leaving private practice, he began a career in the nonprofit sector, including employment by the Sierra Club, the National Environmental Trust, and Oceana in organizing and media. He also has experience in community wind and solar energy development. Paul holds a B.A. in Biology from Macalester College and a J.D. from Boston College Law School.

In this episode we discuss topics including:

· An overview of the Q45 Carbon sequestration tax credit program

· Who benefits from the Q45 Tax Credit Program?

· How Fossil Fuel companies take advantage of the Q45 program and use it to continue to justify producing more fossil fuel

· Problems with the reporting system for 45Q to the EPA and IRS

For more information, see:

· The Pipeline Fighters Hub web site

· The Congressional Research Service’s page on the Q45 program

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