Carbon capture bill passes WA Legislative Council

A Bill strengthening WA’s petroleum legislation and supporting the State Government’s commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 has passed the WA Legislative Council.

The Petroleum Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 provides WA-based industries with opportunities to decarbonise by providing a legislative framework for the transport and geological storage of greenhouse gases.

Carbon capture and storage is being used across the world by industries to decarbonise their operations.

The Bill also enables the exploration for naturally occurring hydrogen through the concept of a regulated substance, which is an element that occurs within a natural geological formation.

Additional amendments support the insertion of polluter pays provisions, royalty metering, underground storage of petroleum and blending of additives in pipelines.

WA Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael commented on the Bill.

“By providing the legislative certainty industry needs to develop greenhouse gas storage, this Bill will encourage more projects and deliver the environmental benefits that come with them,” he said.

“Reaching the goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 is essential for the growth and diversification of WA’s economy.”