Late this summer, when visiting my wife's mother outside of Greenville, Ohio, I noticed the "No CO2 Waste in Darke" signs along the road and was naturally intrigued. I had not been following the geologic carbon dioxide sequestration scene very closely. When I looked into it, I found that the Midwest Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership had been working with The Andersons to develop a geologic sequestration test site, utilizing waste carbon dioxide from their ethanol plant near Greenville, Ohio. The project was being managed by my old (way back) employer, Battelle Memorial Institute, which has some expertise in geologic waste sequestration.

The idea was to pump CO2 into the Mt. Simon formation, an "aquifer" deep below, and generally isolated from, fresh water aquifers. The Mt. Simon already receives industrial wastes, injected under the supervision of EPA Underground Injection Control. Speaking as a geologic scientist, such a test would be intriguing.

Of course, the local folks would have none of that. Being in Ohio, not many people become fascinated enough by geology to pursue it as a profession or high-end hobby. Geology in Ohio is very interesting if you are introduced to it, but it is subtle and hidden, revealed here and there by a quarry or rock outcrop. Some are vaguely aware that glaciers utterly transformed the landscape and hydrology. What most people learn about geology, they learned by sixth grade. Secondary education curricula in Ohio consign "earth science" classes to those who do not pursue the "important" AP sciences such as biology, chemistry and physics. A high percentage would attribute features such as the Great Miami River valley to Noah's flood.

Of course, the American Water Works Association (our clients' association that generally ignores ground water and wells) is against it. They are right that we must avoid degradation of underground sources of water. That's why there is scientific exploration and documentation. Underground injection of wastes is conducted in a highly regulated atmosphere. We also (more or less successfully) store natural gas. This can be done.

So folks "don't know much about geology" (paraphrasing Paul Simon). Consequently, when scientists and engineers come to town and talk about pumping tons of CO2 deep into the ground, they envision their ground water being turned to selzer water, earthquakes, and other such mass ruination. Apparently, no one with geologic expertise (an area professor, etc.) spoke up as an impartial trusted voice. When the county engineer was asked to approve seismic studies to determine if the structure was suitable and not prone to leaking, he would not approve it. The seismic vibrator trucks might ruin his roads. It seems he did not pick up the phone and check with county engineers in the eastern part of the state, where such testing is routine, to see what their experience might be. 

Naturally, a blog was set up, and of course, T-shirts, signs and even window clings printed. Such an event always is good news for the local logo printer - election season come early. The opponents held rallies, and much to my disappointment, churches participated in lending an air of righteousness to this. Opponents said they studied many documents, but no geologic analysis was presented to refute the partnership's conceptual model. What is left is emotional response.

In an August notice on the  MRCSP website, Battelle cancelled plans for the test for "business reasons." If it is impossible to even do seismic studies, it is pointless to pursue further work.

Of course, these communities whine about job loss and brain drain. Such a project would have brought in (at least temporarily) high tech jobs, people (with good salaries) employed by the project, who eat and shop. And we all need to do something about CO2. It was amusing to see the signs as written, which would indicate that all the humans (and far more numerous livestock) would need to hold their breath.

When are we ever going to have a populace that is scientifically literate enough to participate in a 21st Century economy? I couldn't even get my own daughter to take a geology class in college, so I'm not the authority on this. However, if you would like to learn more about geologic carbon sequestration:

Midwest Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership

Ohio Dept of Natural Resources interactive resources

U.S. EPA's Underground Injection Control Sequestration resource page

Ohio EPA's UIC page

U.S. Dept of Energy carbon sequestration R&D

Citizens Against CO2 Sequestration for a look at the opposition's view

Disclaimer: We have no dog in this fight. We are not employed by the sequestration sector or by its opponents. We don't live in Darke Co., or employed by entities involved. I am mostly offended by the idea of scientific study of an idea being thwarted by chanting groups ignorant of the geology.  Let them do the science, look over their shoulders with expertise, and if it is a bad deal, make them walk away then.