Northeast B.C. carbon capture project aims to inform low-carbon economy
by CM Staff
The work is coming from a partnership between the B.C. Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE), Geoscience BC, and the BC Hydrogen Office.
VANCOUVER — A geology project is underway to assess carbon capture and storage (CCS) potential in Northeast British Columbia (B.C.), which will try and guide the province’s rapidly growing low-carbon energy and CCS sectors. The work is coming from a partnership between the B.C. Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE), Geoscience BC, and the BC Hydrogen Office.
“Carbon capture and storage is one of the key pathways to reducing greenhouse gas emissions as we transition from fossil-based fuels to cleaner sources of energy,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. “Mapping potential CCS sites will accelerate investments in CCS projects and supports the development of a low-carbon hydrogen industry in British Columbia.”
“This project in Northeast B.C. is a first step in a broader strategy CICE intends to embark on to establish a carbon management economy in B.C.,” said Yemi Adefulu, Deputy Executive Director of CICE. “We believe a carbon management industry can play a critical role in meeting both the province’s climate action and economic development objectives.”
“The transition to a lower carbon economy is accelerating and changing demand for public geoscience,” said Geoscience BC President and CEO, Gavin C. Dirom. “The Northeast B.C. Geological Carbon Capture and Storage Atlas project is a great example of the type of collaboration required to deliver the data needed to make informed, science-based decisions.”
The project will identify and assess potentially suitable carbon storage locations in the region. Components of the study include:
- Identification and estimation of carbon dioxide storage potential and the most favourable sites.
- Provision of key information to enable improved decision-making for policy and regulatory makers, as well as industry.
- Execution of a CCS Outreach and Engagement Program to increase awareness of CCS opportunities in NE BC.
The public information generated by the study will be valuable to stakeholders including low-carbon hydrogen producers, manufacturers, governments, academia, communities and Indigenous groups who are working to meet CleanBC emissions reduction targets.
A Project Advisory Committee will be confirmed to advise on the project, and an engagement plan for the project will be developed by June 30, 2022. The project is expected to be completed by May 31, 2023.
