Ky. carbon sequestration partnership formed

Courier Journal

The Kentucky Geological Survey and three energy companies have formed a partnership to test storing carbon dioxide permanently deep underground.

The $7.8 million research project includes drilling a well to test geological formations at a yet-to-be determined site in Hancock County, officials said today.

Private partners in the Western Kentucky Carbon Storage Foundation are Peabody Energy, ConocoPhillips and Louisville-based E.ON U.S.

The Kentucky Geological Survey’s portion of the funding is $1.35 million, said Karen Wilson(cq), spokeswoman with the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet.

The balance of funding comes from the private partners, said Beth Sutton(cq), Peabody spokeswoman. She said drilling would occur later this year, with the injection to occur early next year. The well will be more than 8,000 feet deep, Sutton said.

“Proving the feasibility of carbon storage in deep saline reservoirs is important for Kentucky’s future,” said Jim Cobb(cq), state geologist and director of the Geological Survey.

More than 90 percent of Kentucky’s electricity comes from coal-fired generators. Kentucky is also among the nation’s third largest producer of coal.

At the same time, carbon dioxide emissions from burning coal have been targeted as a significant factor in human-caused global warming.