Rockwall Voices Op-Ed
North Texas has every reason—and every advantage—to become the inland engine of carbon capture and storage (CCS) development in Texas. With our concentration of industry, innovation, and a growing demand for reliable, low-carbon solutions, our region is well positioned to lead the next wave of CCS projects and partnerships. Stepping into that role isn’t just an opportunity; it’s essential for Texas to stay competitive in a rapidly changing global economy.
In the early days of the Barnett Shale, many dismissed horizontal drilling as too costly and unproven. It was North Texas that proved them wrong. When LNG export capacity expanded, critics questioned the investment. Today, LNG is one of the most important tools for global energy security and a major driver of Texas jobs.
Carbon capture and storage has a similar trajectory. CCS has been widely used across our state for 50 years and scaling it further provides an opportunity to unlock new markets and strengthen our state’s energy leadership. CCS isn’t about goodwill; companies are responding to hard business decisions to sell into global markets that increasingly require low-carbon products, from steel and cement to fuels. Emissions-reduction options are looked at alongside taxes, land availability, and workforce. If we want Texas-made goods to compete internationally, CCS must be part of our competitiveness strategy.
That’s where we need North Texas’ leadership. The Dallas–Fort Worth region continues to add power capacity, manufacturing investment, and logistics infrastructure as our state’s economy grows. Decades of oil and gas development gives us unmatched subsurface knowledge and a seasoned workforce, positioning the region to deploy CCS safely and at scale.
As we see the trend in advanced manufacturing being reshored and every state competing for some of that business, CCS gives existing employers a path to modernize and expand while making the region more attractive to new industrial investment. These projects create demand for jobs in construction, engineering, pipeline development, and manufacturing. The result is a durable economic anchor that reinforces North Texas as a place where industry can grow, compete, and stay for the long haul.
Power generators are already preparing to enable CCS because it provides an opportunity for abundant natural gas to operate cleanly and efficiently without compromising grid security. With electricity demand projected to nearly double by 2030, CCS helps future-proof our energy and industrial assets in a way that aligns with economic realities, keeping power affordable and dependable for millions of Texans.
The opportunity is clear and we can build on recent wins to keep moving forward. Under this administration, the US Environmental Protection Agency has recently granted Texas “primacy,” exhibiting their confidence that the Texas Railroad Commission can safely permit deserving CCS projects, allowing them to advance predictably, using state expertise and locally-driven oversight. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry’s recent moratorium on CCS development is further opportunity for Texas to become the nation’s major CCS hub, applying the collaborative, practical, and community-centered approach that has long defined our energy leadership.
For North Texas, this is especially important. Local industries across our region will benefit from this new chapter. Lawmakers from North Texas can also lead in developing a new statewide CCS framework next session that ensures Texas remains competitive.
This technology is proven; the need is clear; and the states that recognize the opportunity early will shape the market. If we want to grow jobs, preserve our industrial base, attract investment, and strengthen our energy security, then North Texas must shape the state’s CCS strategy and build an environment that encourages responsible project development.
About the Author:
Chris Wallace is President and CEO of the North Texas Commission, where he leads regional advocacy and economic development initiatives across the 13-county North Texas region. Previously, he served as President/COO of the Texas Association of Business and as President/CEO of the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber. A Certified Chamber Executive (CCE), Wallace is a frequent voice on trade, economic competitiveness, and public policy and has been recognized among D CEO Magazine’s Dallas 500 most influential business leaders.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this Op-Ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official stance of The Rockwall Times. We encourage a respectful exchange of perspectives to enrich our community dialogue.
