GCCC scientists Sue Hovorka and JP Nicot attended an EPA-led meeting held in Washington, D. C., December 3-4, 2007: “Proposed UIC Regulations for Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide”. Both Sue and JP also participated in 2 different discussion panels. The meeting lasted 1.5 days with a mix of presentations, technical panels, and question-from-the-audience sessions. EPA is quickly moving forward on the proposed new regulations and was seeking input from a breath of stakeholders. Click here for a complete summary. |
Bureau
Research Scientist Sue Hovorka was recently interviewed
by Mason Jones, Videographer, UT Office of Public Affairs,
as part of a series of videos that will appear on a new OnCampus
website. Sue’s discussion of Bureau research on geologic
storage to reduce atmospheric emissions of CO2 will be part
of a segment on alternative energy. |
The Austin
Geological Society held its monthly meeting at the Bureau on
Monday, November 5. Bureau scientist Tip Meckel spoke on “An Overview
of Current Carbon Dioxide Capture and Geologic Storage (Sequestration)
Activities in Texas,” in which he presented basic
aspects of carbon capture and storage (CCS) in the context of
environmental, energy, and economic factors affecting deployment.
He focused on the role of the Bureau in DOE-funded field tests,
including the recent DOE award of $38 million for a large-volume
test in southwest Mississippi. Close to 50 were in attendance. |
JP Nicot participated as an expert in a panel convened by EPA in Washington D.C. on Nov. 2 to review what EPA call “Vulnerability Evaluation Framework” (VEF). The 4-hour workshop was followed by a 1-hour conference call on Nov. 15. The VEF is an attempt by EPA to streamline the permitting process by making sure that no important issue is overlooked. It could also possibly be used as a decision tool in the future. The VEF approach uses as much as possible simple analytical tools that can be easily applied in a regulatory framework. |
GCCC research
as part of the Southeast
Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership (SECARB)
is moving to the field in Cranfield, Mississippi as Phase 2
continues, while the writing of the Phase 3 proposal has been
accelerated. |
SWCARB
Phase 2 continues with the initiation of groundwater
sampling and the planning of the injection experiemant at the
SACROC (Scurry Area Canyon Reef Operators Committee) unitized
oil field, and the Phase 3 proposal is being prepared. |
The
Frio Brine Pilot is in the final stage of post-injection
monitoring for the second injection at this site. |
The
FutureGen Texas Team submitted their best and final
offer to the Alliance on July 31, 2007. |
