EPA Approves Carbon Storage Permit in Randolph County, Indiana
Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a permit for One Carbon Partnership to inject and store carbon dioxide underground at the Cardinal Ethanol facility in Randolph County, Indiana.
“Following a thorough, science-based technical review and extensive public engagement, EPA is approving this permit with stringent safeguards and long-term monitoring to protect underground sources of drinking water,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Anne Vogel. “This carbon storage project is expected to spur economic development in Randolph County by supporting local jobs and attracting private investment.”
With this permit, One Carbon Partnership will be allowed to construct a well to inject up to 450,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year for 30 years, or 13.5 million metric tons in total. One Carbon Partnership will also be required to monitor the well throughout the injection phase, and for 50 years post-injection to ensure the stored carbon dioxide remains confined within the injection zone and underground sources of drinking water are not endangered. The permit was issued following extensive review and public engagement. EPA determined that the well meets all requirements for approval, including stringent safety measures. The permit decision will be eligible for appeals for 30 days after the permit is issued.
The deep formation where the injected carbon would be permanently stored is between 3,100 and 3,659 feet beneath the surface and is protected by a 487-foot-thick confining zone composed of caprock preventing the upward migration of sequestered carbon from the storage reservoir into underground sources of drinking water. EPA has concluded that One Carbon Partnership’s well materials, intended operation of the well, and the underlying geology of the proposed storage site are appropriate to prevent endangerment of underground sources of drinking water. Throughout the injection process, the agency will maintain robust oversight.
The process of permanently storing carbon underground is known as “carbon sequestration.” Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, EPA developed specific and rigorous criteria to protect underground sources of drinking water from carbon dioxide stored underground.
For more information on EPA’s injection permit process, click here.
To view a copy of the permit and EPA responses to comments, click here.
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