Geologic Sequestration in Region 5

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What is Geologic Sequestration?
Geologic Sequestration Activity in Region 5
Key Partnerships and Links

What is Geologic Sequestration?

Geologic sequestration of greenhouse gases is the underground injection of carbon dioxide (CO₂) through wells into deep porous rock formations. The Underground Injection Control (UIC) program of the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act regulates this practice by means of specific UIC regulations.

Geologic sequestration, sometimes referred to as geosequestration, is part of a larger group of technologies being considered to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that we emit to the atmosphere. Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS), sometimes called Carbon Capture and Storage, is the process of capturing carbon dioxide that would normally be emitted to the atmosphere, compressing it into a liquid or supercritical fluid, transporting it to a storage location, and sequestering it deep in the earth through underground injection wells. This type of injection involves new factors that need to be considered to ensure that it is done with as little risk to human health and the environment as possible.

This is why EPA has issued regulations for a new class of underground injection well (Class VI) that is designed for geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide.

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Geologic Sequestration Activity in Region 5

EPA Region 5 began directly implementing the UIC Class VI regulations for all states in Region 5 on September 7, 2011. The Region’s Underground Injection Control Branch will implement the Class VI regulations in these states until a state submits an application for Class VI primary enforcement responsibility within its borders and EPA approves the application.

Class VI Permit Applications

Archer Daniels Midland, Decatur, IL - July and December 2011
Taylorville Energy Center, Taylorville, IL - September 2011
FutureGen 2.0 - Morgan County, IL - March 2013

Key Partnerships and Links

Midwest Geological Sequestration Consortium (MGSC):
The MGSC covers the Illinois Basin, which is a geologic depression underlying most of Illinois and extending into southwest Indiana and northwest Kentucky. The MGSC has representatives from these states. It is working to assess the potential for geologic sequestration (storage) of carbon dioxide in the deeply buried unminable coal seams, depleting oil or gas reservoirs, and brine-filled rock formations found in the Illinois Basin.
Midwest Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership (MRCSP):
The MRCSP partnership covers an area which consists of seven contiguous states: Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. A group of leading universities, state geological surveys, nongovernmental organizations and private companies, led by Battelle Memorial Institute has been assembled to carry out this research.
Minnesota Geological Survey
Battelle Memorial Institute (Battelle): Battelle has several web pages on carbon sequestration. See, for example, Carbon Sequestration - A Key Climate Change Mitigation Technology.
Department of Energy (DOE): The DOE's National Energy Technology Laboratory, Department of Energy site has a great deal of information on carbon sequestration.
NATCARB, the National Carbon Sequestration Database and Geographical Information System, run by the US Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory.
Indiana Geological Survey Research - The Indiana Geological Survey (IGS) is a partner in NATCARB.
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological Survey