A new provincial program aims to reduce carbon emissions by allowing industries to begin testing projects to store CO2 underground on private land.
The idea involves capturing carbon dioxide from large emission sources like power generation, industrial facilities, or directly from the atmosphere before compressing and transporting the gas and injecting it into underground rock formations.
Speaking at the Oil Museum of Canada in Oil Springs on Wednesday, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry Graydon Smith said there is growing interest and acceptance of the role that carbon capture and storage will play in achieving net-zero emissions in a global economy.
Provincial officials say Ontario’s geologic resource potential will need further assessment and confirmation, however most of Ontario’s geologic storage potential is expected to be in southwestern Ontario.
“Carbon storage plays an important role in Ontario’s Low-Carbon Hydrogen Strategy, which sets out a vision for a low-carbon hydrogen economy in our province,” said Todd Smith, Minister of Energy. “This will help develop a self-sustaining sector in Ontario, evolve our energy system, create local jobs and attract investment while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
Work is underway on a framework to allow for the development of large commercial projects. Public consultations are scheduled to begin in the new year.
“Enbridge Gas supports Ontario’s efforts to enable carbon capture and storage opportunities, which are essential to reducing emissions from energy-intensive industries like steel, cement and fertilizers,” said Enbridge Gas VP of Energy Services, Jim Redford. “Government must continue engaging with industry leaders and communities to introduce world-class safety, financial and technical expertise requirements, and undertake a competitive process to maximize economies of scale.”