Carbon Storage Solutions: Delivering Colorado’s first underground carbon capture and storage project, safely and securely

Carbon Storage Solutions is advancing toward delivery of the first underground carbon capture and storage project in Colorado, capturing CO2 from the existing Front Range Energy ethanol plant in Windsor and storing it nearly two miles beneath the surface in secure rock formations.

The development and operations plan for Carbon Storage Solutions is built with the safety of the community, environment and our team as the top priority, and it follows the U.S. EPA Class VI permit process – one of the most rigorous and protective in the world.

HOW
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Project Benefits

Carbon Storage Solutions is expected to provide positive economic and environmental benefits for Windsor, Weld County and the state of Colorado.

The project is designed to meet the highest safety standards, while also providing:

Delivery of a very low carbon biofuel with over 80% less GHG emissions than gasoline, meeting growing demand for low-carbon fuels produced in Colorado
A significant reduction in the plant’s greenhouse gas emissions, helping Colorado meet its aggressive carbon emissions reduction goals
Economic benefits through property and other taxes, which will support local schools, first responders and more, in the town, county and state.
A permitting pathway for future underground carbon storage projects in the state
Sustained operations for Front Range Energy, supporting high-paying jobs, tax benefits and reliable products, and strengthening the local community through continued investment, community involvement and other project benefits
A reliable market for corn, biomass and other ethanol precursors, meaning sustained support for Colorado’s $47 billion agricultural community

Project Safety

The safety of our employees, environment and surrounding community is the top priority for Front Range Energy.

Front Range Energy is following the EPA Class VI permit process, one of the most rigorous permitting processes in the U.S., designed for safety. Front Range Energy will continue its track-record of safe operations, with the company’s last lost-time OSHA recordable employee accident in 2021.

Here’s what to know about project safety:

Carbon storage is a proven technology that has been used worldwide for many years and Front Range Energy has assembled a team of experienced partners for Carbon Storage Solutions – each tapped for their expertise in engineering, geology, environmental protection, operations and safety, with proven track records of delivering carbon storage projects.
Consistent monitoring of air quality, groundwater, etc. Carbon Storage Solutions will implement a robust monitoring system that includes regular real-time monitoring of any potential impacts to water, soil, air quality and underground geology.
Each phase of the project, from design to construction and operations to site monitoring and eventual closure, will have robust safety systems in place. Carbon Storage Solutions is using proven, tested carbon compression equipment from the global market leader, featuring technology widely used worldwide for CO2 recovery for the beverage industry.
The geology in Colorado is favorable for underground carbon storage, which further reduces risk.
On-site carbon capture will reduce the need for transporting CO2, resulting in a reduction in overall truck traffic at the facility. The co-located facilities also mean there is no need for an off-site pipeline to transport CO2 to the facility for storage.