SPOKANE — The state Department of Ecology is accepting public comments on a proposed permit to inject carbon dioxide into basalt rock to study the potential for underground storage.
The project will test the suitability of Columbia River basalt rock to permanently store the gas and prevent it from being released into the atmosphere. The study requires a solid waste discharge permit.
Battelle, based in Colombus, Ohio, will conduct the study later this year. Battelle operates the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland.
The permit would allow up to 1,100 tons of food grade carbon dioxide to be injected on Boise Inc. property 20 miles southeast of Pasco.
Comments must be submitted by Feb. 15, 2011.
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