Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage as a Climate Change Mitigation Strategy: Challenges and Opportunities for the State of Maryland

摘要

Increases in atmospheric CO_2 concentrations confirm the need for CO_2 mitigation options in the U.S. Advances in technology associated with full-scale CCUS implementation, as well as the launching of multiple pilot projects, are needed to demonstrate that CCUS can be a successful method of reducing CO_2 emissions generated by point sources. The high costs of implementation, however, underscore the importance of the beneficial use of captured CO2 through EOR, EGR, or ECBM, to accomplish the dual goal of environmental and economic justification. In Maryland, CO_2 use and geologic sequestration potential exists in Western Maryland, as well as in the Southwestern portion of the State that overlies the Taylorsville Basin and the Waste Gate Formation. The possible large-scale beneficial uses of CO_2 in Maryland, including ECBM recovery, EGR, and even the potential pipelining of CO_2 to EOR sites, could justify the costs associated with capture and transport of CO_2. More detailed studies that involve collaboration among agencies and industry could provide further information and address a host of issues.