Carbon Sequestration Raises Liability Question

Jun 25, 2008 by Elizabeth Ziegler

(KCPW News) Scientists are preparing to pump 3 million tons of pressurized carbon dioxide 5,000 feet into the ground near Price, Utah, over the next four years. But questions remain about who is liable if something goes wrong, says University of Utah researcher Brian McPherson, who is spearheading the pilot project.

"Even though I can assure you right now that the technology - CO2 sequestration - is low-risk and very safe, A) we must carry out the tests to confirm that and B) over the long-term, what if some other natural disaster occurs - a major Wasatch Front earthquake or something - something we can't control," McPherson says.

It is unlikely the carbon dioxide would reach the surface in such a catastrophic event because it would be injected below a thick layer of oil and shale that acts as a cap, he says. In high concentrations, carbon dioxide is lethal, but McPherson says the carbon sequestration sites would be closely monitored and the chance of the gas escaping is very slim. Accidental seepage of carbon dioxide would more likely contaminate nearby groundwater or natural gas and oil reserves, McPherson says. To discuss these liability issues and other challenges of bringing the greenhouse gas reduction technology on-line, the Utah Department of Environmental Quality is organizing a workgroup.

"The state is initiating the right discussion," McPherson says. "Or at least a discussion that's going in the right direction. And I suspect the legislature will - specific committees and subcommittees - will receive reports. And that will instigate, hopefully, this type of discussion."

The carbon sequestration group is expected to hold its first meeting in August. Senate Bill 202 passed earlier this year mandated the state develop rules and regulations for carbon sequestration and carbon capture technologies. The group will also work in conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on its draft rules expected to be released in July.

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