rxEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency What is carbon sequestration? Scientists now believe the buildup of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases as a result of human activities is changing Earth's atmosphere and tending to warm the planet. Scientific studies link these changes to shrinking glaciers, sea level rise, changes in plant and animal habitats, and other global effects. One way to stop this buildup is to avoid emitting carbon dioxide into the air in the first place. Carbon dioxide can be captured and injected underground for long-term storage in a process called geologic sequestration - also called carbon sequestration - one of several options for easing the effects of climate change. Sequestration is the process of injecting carbon dioxide from large sources, such as power plants, into rock formations thousands of feet below the surface. With proper site selection and management, this technique could play a major role in reducing carbon dioxide emissions. About 95 percent of coal-fired power plants and other large emission sources in the United States are within 50 miles of a possible sequestration site. This large storage capacity has the potential to contribute significantly toward meeting the goals of the nation's climate policy. Additional information on carbon capture and storage is at www.epa.gov/safewater/ uic /wells_sequestration.html. Additional information on carbon capture and storage activities in the Region 5 states can be found at www.epa.gov/region5 /water/uic/ carbon_sequestration.htm. EPA Proposes to Reissue Permit for MRCSP Injection Well Midwest Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership Otsego County, Michigan December 2008 MI-137-5X25-0001 0 0.5 1 Mile Introduction Core Energy, LLC of Traverse City, Michigan has applied to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a permit to continue to operate a Class V Carbon Storage injection well located in Otsego County (see map). In partnership with the Midwest Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership (MRCSP), Core Energy is using this well as part of a research project aimed at measuring the behavior of carbon dioxide (CO2) injected into a rock formation below the ground. Researchers are injecting CO 2 at depths betwween 3,442 to 3,515 feet below the surface, and observing the behavior of the gas in rock formations. The carbon dioxide is stored in the Bois Blanc Formation and the Bass Island Dolomite, deeper than 3,190 feet beneath the surface. Injecting carbon dioxide deep underground is one step in a process called "carbon capture and storage" (see box, left), a developing approach to slow global wanning. The Midwest Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership is one of seven partnerships in a nationwide effort - led by U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory - to develop technologies to stabilize atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. ------- Intent to Issue a Permit Review of the permit application indicates that no significant environmental impact should result from the injection operation. The EPA therefore intends to issue a permit for this well. Under the authority of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR) Parts 144 and 146, EPA permits must specify conditions for construction, operation, monitoring, reporting, and plugging and abandonment of injection wells so as to prevent the movement of fluid into any underground source of drinking water (USDW). A USDW is defined as any aquifer or portion thereof which contains less than 10,000 milligrams per liter of total dissolved solids and which is being or can be used as a source of drinking water. In accordance with 40 CFR §124.8, general information and highlighted permit conditions specific to this well are described below. Construction Requirements The injection well is fully cased and cemented to prevent the movement of fluids into or between USDWs, meeting the regulatory criteria of 40 CFR §144.52(a)(l). Site Geology The injection zone is the Bois Blanc Formation and Bass Islands Dolomite from 3190 feet to 3515 feet below the surface. The immediate overlying confining zone is the Amherstberg-Lucas Formation which is composed of limestone, dolomite, and anhydrite. Adequate confining layers exist between the Bois Blanc Formation formation and the base of the lowermost Underground Source of Drinking Water. The base of the lowermost USDW has been identified at a depth of 665 feet below the surface. This water- bearing formation is the Glacial Drift. Area of review (AOR) The AOR is defined as the area within a 1/2-mile radius of the injection well. It has been determined that there are six wells that penetrate the confining zone within the AOR. The construction and plugging details have been reviewed and determined to be adequate to prevent the upward movement of fluids or gases. Maximum Injection Pressure The proposed permitted maximum injection pressure shall be limited to 1197 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) to prevent fractures in the rock formation Financial Assurance Core Energy, LLC has demonstrated adequate financial resources to close, plug and abandon this underground injection operation. A bond in the amount of $250,000 has been established for this purpose with Chase Bank. Submitting Public Comments Detailed information on submitting public comments is found on the attached public notice. You may see the draft permit at: Otsego County Library, 700 South Otsego, Gaylord, Michigan, Monday-Tuesday and Wednesday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.. The draft permit is also on the Internet at http ://www. epa.gov/r5water/uic/uic.htm Copies of the draft permit and administrative record for this permit action are available for public review between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the address listed at right. It is recommended that you telephone Leslie Patterson before visiting the Region 5 office. Part C of the SDWA specifically mandates regulation of the underground injection of fluids through wells to assure that the quality of the underground sources of drinking water is protected. Section 1421 of the SDWA requires the EPA to administer underground injection control (UIC) programs in the states which do not have approved UIC programs. Michigan has not acquired primacy over the UIC program for Class V injection wells, therefore EPA is administering the permit program pursuant to regulations at 40 CFR Part 147. For more on this permit or to view the administrative record, contact: Leslie Patterson, EPA Region 5 77 W. Jackson Blvd. (WU-16J) Chicago, IL 60604 312-886-4904, or toll-free, 800-621-8431 patterson.leslie@epa.gov ------- |