OUR COALITION

CURC is a coalition that operates by consensus.  We offer different types of general membership levels and associated dues for organizations that have different business structures – such as labor groups and academic institutions. Steering Committee members, as described below, function much like a Board of Directors for the organization. CURC also offers an Associate membership, which provides access to a limited set of activities and information that CURC generates at a lower cost. CURC offers membership at a reduced rate for startup companies and small businesses, as well as for international observers that are simply looking to understand technology initiatives in the U.S. and participate in CURC activities.

The CURC Steering Committee sets organizational priorities and activities each year, after which the majority of work is conducted through two Subcommittees – the Technical Subcommittee and the Government Affairs Subcommittee. Both Steering Committee and General Members are invited to participate in Subcommittee activities.

Steering Committee

The CURC Steering Committee functions as the Board of Directors, developing organizational policies and positions on pending legislation, regulations, and other policy initiatives, as well as determining the annual budget and activities. Steering Committee members may serve in leadership positions within CURC, in addition to having the full suite of Subcommittee participation and information access available to General Members.

Technical Subcommittee

CURC’s Technical Subcommittee is made up of technical experts representing CURC member organizations. Participation on the Subcommittee is open to all non-Associate members of CURC. The Subcommittee is responsible for assessing technology proposals and policies that impact the use and capability of technology in response to proposed regulations and in support CURC’s mission. Much of the work of this Subcommittee is communicated to the Steering Committee, the General Membership, and the CURC Government Affairs Subcommittee to inform the agenda for those Committees and the overall direction of the organization.

The Technical Subcommittee is responsible for identifying a set of cost and performance goals, and outlining specific technology research, development, and deployment needs to ready a suite advanced fossil energy technologies that can collectively meet those targets. Members of the Subcommittee evaluate and assess each technology, including the annual development requirements and cost estimates for each stage of technology development. The Subcommittee uses this analysis to develop a set of recommendations that are embodied in the CURC-EPRI Advanced Fossil Energy Technology Roadmap, which serves as the basis for CURC’s funding and program recommendations to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Congress. CURC’s Roadmap recommendations have been adopted in several DOE programs, including those funding large-scale carbon capture pilot projects, Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) studies for carbon capture projects, and the development of geologic storage sites for carbon dioxide derived from industrial processes.

The cost and performance projections included in the 2018 CURC-EPRI Roadmap also served as the basis for a study projecting the macroeconomic benefits of carbon capture and storage, entitled “Making Carbon a Commodity: The Potential of Carbon Capture RD&D.”

Government Affairs Subcommittee

CURC’s Government Affairs Subcommittee consists of CURC members’ federal affairs representatives. The Subcommittee is responsible for helping to craft advocacy and lobbying strategies for the policies designed and recommended by the CURC membership. Subcommittee membership is open to all Non-Associate members of CURC. Notable activities of the CURC Government Affairs Subcommittee include:

• Advocacy before Members of Congress, federal agencies, and the White House. The CURC Government Affairs Subcommittee is responsible for conveying CURC’s policy priorities to lawmakers. Members assist with the development of policy and communications-related materials, and are used to advocate before Congress and the federal agencies in support of those policy goals.

• Educating Policymakers and Stakeholders. The Subcommittee is the primary driver behind CURC’s educational efforts on Capitol Hill. CURC routinely hosts briefings on Capitol Hill for Congressional staff, holds a semi-annual Technology Showcase, and deploys members to collaborate with industry and environmental stakeholders in support of technology development.

• Participate in CURC’s annual Capitol Hill Day. CURC’s Capitol Hill Day is the flagship event for the CURC Government Affairs Subcommittee, during which all CURC members fly in to Washington, D.C. to meet with Members of Congress and their staff. CURC members routinely meet with over 50 Congressional offices during this event, touching on all issues relevant to technology development and deployment.

To download a copy of our membership materials, click here.   Please contact CURC Associate Director Mike Weiner if you have any questions.