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West Des Moines, IA – A new educational coalition, the Smart Carbon Network, has launched today, bringing together leaders from agriculture, energy, and academia to raise awareness of the benefits and safety of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies. The network will work closely with farmers and rural residents to advocate for smart, safe, and economically sound carbon capture management. The Smart Carbon Network is a 501(c)6 headquartered in Iowa.

“Carbon capture is an essential tool in helping farmers grow our economy and preserve the promise of agriculture for future generations,” said Joe Heinrich, Executive Director of the Smart Carbon Network. “As a farmer, I know the challenges that come with balancing the needs of the land, the community, and the economy. That's why I am proud to lead this coalition in showcasing the value of CCUS to local communities and across the nation.”

Joe is an experienced and trusted voice on agriculture. As Executive Director of the Smart Carbon Network, Joe utilizes his extensive expertise managing a diversified agricultural business and past leadership roles with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation to inform the public and shape policy. Previously, Joe served as the State Vice President of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, representing 100 county Farm Bureaus across the state.

The Smart Carbon Network is also proud to announce the addition of three new members to the Board of Directors. The new board members include:

The Honorable Charles McConnell is Executive Director at the Center for Carbon Management in Energy at the University of Houston. With over 30 years of experience in energy transition, McConnell is well-versed in the intricacies of CCUS and previously served as Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Energy.

Steve Wellman is a third generation grain and cattle farmer. As the former Director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Wellman brings the perspective of an experienced farmer and agriculture policymaker to the board.

Elizabeth Worrell is Managing Director and Chief Legal Counsel for the Pipe Line Contractors Association (PLCA). The PLCA negotiates labor agreements, encourages safe practices in pipeline construction and seeks the resolution of problems common to all those in the industry. Worrell provides a voice for construction companies that build and maintain CCUS systems around the country.

The Smart Carbon Network hopes to separate fact from fiction about CCUS development and safety and expand the public conversation to include the full array of benefits for the economy, the ag community, and the environment.

“We are proud to launch a coalition committed to bringing together diverse voices and sectors to advocate for smart, safe, and economically sound carbon capture management,” said Steve Wellman, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Smart Carbon Network. “We look forward to working with partners across the public and private sectors to promote awareness, advance research, and drive progress towards a cleaner, safer, and more prosperous tomorrow.”

About Smart Carbon Network

The Smart Carbon Network is a 501(c)6 educational coalition that advocates for smart carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies across the nation. We are a coalition representing agriculture, energy, academia, and others who agree on the vital importance of carbon capture and its value to our environment and our economy. Our objective is simple: to assist in bringing awareness to the benefits and safety of CCUS while giving everyone a voice in the environmental and economic future of their communities.

We recognize our future success depends on America’s ability to deliver lower-carbon solutions, and many decisions made along the way will directly impact local economies and livelihoods. The Smart Carbon Network is committed to establishing smart, safe, and economically sound carbon management as a cornerstone of America’s low-carbon future. We are pro-community, pro-farmer, pro-environment, and pro-economic opportunity – and we believe we can work together to leverage the resources and expertise we have available today to build a better tomorrow.

To learn more, visit: SmartCarbonNetwork.com