The project involves the characterization of two separate but geographically close sites for large-scale storage of carbon dioxide (CO2)—one at the One Earth Energy (OEE) ethanol plant near Gibson City, Illinois, and the other at the Prairie State Generating Company (PSGC) coal-fired power plant near Marissa, Illinois. The goal is to store 50 million metric tons of CO2 captured from these facilities. Characterization activities at both sites encompass 2D and 3D seismic surveys, drilling of stratigraphic test wells, conducting geophysical logging, performing well hydraulic testing, assessing the feasibility of CO2 capture and transport, and executing detailed injection modeling. The expected result of the project is to obtain the necessary permits for installing injection wells at both sites in compliance with the U.S. EPA’s Class VI Underground Injection Control (UIC) regulations.

The benefits of this project are centered on advancing the widespread implementation of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies. By assessing and confirming the safety and cost-effectiveness of commercial-scale storage sites for CO2 emissions from anthropogenic sources, and by evaluating the technical and economic feasibility of carbon capture and/or purification technologies for these CO2 sources, the project aims to facilitate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to the mitigation of climate change.