I am always encouraged by the energy, enthusiasm, and creativity I see from those working on climate and energy challenges. It gives me confidence and hope knowing there is a very motivated community of people who have dedicated their careers to these questions…

This newsletter features Emily Connor, Program Manager for carbon dioxide removal and conversion projects with the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management.


Experienced in renewable energy investing, Emily was most recently with the Yale Carbon Containment Lab, where she focused on deploying methane abatement and carbon storage pilot projects. She is a graduate of Penn State University and Yale University.

Could you explain what you do?


I work for the Department of Energy (DOE) supporting the development of new technologies that use carbon dioxide to create products designed to help remove CO2 from the atmosphere. These technologies are one important way to reduce emissions. Products made from CO2 can also help offset costs associated with capturing carbon dioxide and reduce emissions from industries where it is currently very hard to do so. 

How did you become interested in carbon removal?


I spent several years with a start-up working to develop and deploy solar projects across the US and saw how the solar industry had scaled and matured. I became interested in supporting additional lower technology readiness level (TRL) technologies which are needed to reduce and remove emissions. I saw an opportunity with carbon removal to be a part of the same type of government-enabled research and development and commercial deployment that helped launch renewables and bring down costs. I think robust carbon removal technologies are one important tool in a suite of approaches needed to ensure we avoid the worst impacts of climate change. 

What advice would you give others thinking about getting into this field?


Working in carbon removal and conversion can certainly be a challenge, as technology and innovations are moving quickly and there are many early-stage approaches being evaluated in research and development. While some techniques or technologies have been around for decades, technology applications are constantly evolving. I think it is important to stay curious. Keeping up with research and current feedback from industry is key, and involvement in working groups like the Global CO2 Initiative, which bring them all together, is one valuable way to stay current.

What inspires you or gives you hope for the future?


I am always encouraged by the energy, enthusiasm, and creativity I see from those working on climate and energy challenges. It gives me confidence and hope knowing there is a very motivated community of people who have dedicated their careers to these questions–people including my colleagues at the DOE, our national labs, the private sector, and academia.

What is a fun fact about yourself? 


I love tackling tricky and complicated baking projects! For a friend’s wedding this year I made and packaged 350 rosemary shortbread cookies and had a great time doing it. Send any recipes you like my way!

News in a Nutshell

Carbon Clean awards design contract for major carbon-capture project to KBR


JPMorgan Chase Commits $200 Million To Carbon Removal Investments


LanzaTech, Plastipak produce PET resin made from GHG emissions


Discovery of functional prebiotic metabolism shows promise for improving carbon-capture technologies


Cement makers advance carbon capture

Imminent Events

CO2-based Fuels and Chemicals Conference 2024

April 17-18, 2024


Save the date! This conference will showcase the newest and most important developments in the fast growing field of CO2 capture and utilization!

Keep in touch


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