California launches first operational carbon storage project

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🗞️ Driving the news: California Resources Corporation (CRC) has begun CO2 injection at Carbon TerraVault I (CTV I) in Kern County, marking California’s first operational carbon capture and storage (CCS) project
• The project stores CO2 in depleted oil and gas reservoirs over one mile underground, with the 26R reservoir alone capable of capturing 1.46 million metric tons annually
• Total storage potential across CTV I could reach 38 million tons, with eight additional sites proposed for a combined 352 million tons of future CO2 storage

🔭 The context: CTV I-26R is the first California reservoir to receive final U.S. EPA Class VI carbon storage permits, a regulatory milestone enabling safe long-term sequestration
• The project reflects growing state interest in CCS to complement emissions reductions, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors
• CRC has partnered with Brookfield for this joint venture, which also includes community engagement investments exceeding $1 million in Kern County

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: By capturing and safely storing CO2 underground, the project directly reduces atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions, helping California advance toward carbon neutrality and climate resilience
• Large-scale CCS deployment can mitigate industrial emissions that are otherwise difficult to eliminate, providing a critical lever for slowing global warming

⏭️ What’s next: CRC plans to expand CCS operations across eight additional reservoirs, scaling the technology across California while engaging local stakeholders through a Community Advisory Council to guide responsible deployment

💬 One quote: “This project demonstrates that large-scale carbon management can play a practical role in California’s climate strategy while supporting energy resilience.” — Francisco Leon, CEO, CRC

📈 One stat: CTV I’s 26R reservoir alone is projected to store up to 1.46 million metric tons of CO2 annually

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