California’s Kern County has unanimously approved a project by California Resources Corp. to capture and store carbon dioxide underground. The project, named Carbon Terra Vault, aims to inject millions of tons of carbon dioxide into the ground in the San Joaquin Valley. This move is part of the broader effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change in the state.
While the project has received support from the oil and gas industry and local officials who see it as an economic boon, community members and environmental justice advocates have raised concerns about air pollution and the safety of injecting carbon dioxide underground. Critics argue that carbon capture technology prolongs the use of fossil fuels and could have adverse effects on the health of low-income communities in the region.
Despite the opposition, the county supervisors approved the project, paving the way for construction to begin pending final approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The company plans to create jobs and invest in the community, emphasizing the importance of transitioning to cleaner energy sources while maintaining economic stability.
The project is seen as a crucial step in California’s efforts to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2045. With federal subsidies and support for carbon capture initiatives, California aims to become a hub for carbon capture technologies. However, environmental groups continue to raise concerns about the environmental impact and long-term consequences of such projects.
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