California’s first carbon capture project is up and running. Environmentalists are still trying to stop it

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day, reviewed by our editorial team. Read the full piece on Inside Climate News or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: California has launched its first operational carbon capture and storage project, CarbonTerraVault I, at the Elk Hills oil field. The project will inject up to 1.5 million metric tons of CO₂ annually, with total storage capacity of 38 million tons
• New state regulations governing carbon pipelines were finalized this week, paving the way for future projects and broader carbon removal operations

🔭 The context: The project, led by California Resources Corporation (CRC), captures CO₂ from its natural gas processing plant and stores it underground
• The initiative comes amid years of permitting delays, litigation from environmental groups, and uncertainty caused by federal policy shifts
• While the federal government and private carbon markets have provided inconsistent support, California is creating its own regulatory framework to facilitate safe carbon transport and storage
• Environmental groups continue to challenge the project, citing incomplete environmental review and potential risks from legacy oil wells

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Carbon capture and storage is considered a critical tool for limiting global warming
• By sequestering CO₂ that would otherwise enter the atmosphere, projects like CarbonTerraVault I can help reduce emissions and complement renewable energy and efficiency measures
• Large-scale deployment is essential: global emissions reached nearly 38 billion tons in 2024, while only around 380 million tons of CO₂ have been stored underground since the 1990s

⏭️ What’s next: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is reviewing 11 additional California projects, including nearly 50 injection wells
• These projects, which are pending approval, could substantially expand carbon storage capacity in the state
• Meanwhile, litigation and community advocacy may influence project design, safety requirements, and public trust in carbon removal infrastructure

💬 One quote: “It’s a good indicator for others in the space that this day will come…so to see the actual injection and storage of CO₂ in a new project is great news.” – Steve Whittaker, Vault 44.01

📈 One stat: CarbonTerraVault I can inject up to 1.5 million metric tons of CO₂ per year and store 38 million tons overall, representing California’s first operational large-scale carbon sequestration project

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