Carbon Sequestration in Indiana—a Brief Overview

The practice of capturing and storing carbon dioxide, or “carbon sequestration,” has gained significant interest due to growing domestic energy and manufacturing needs and the resulting emissions. Carbon dioxide emissions can be decreased in numerous ways, including capturing emissions from industrial facilities or directly from the atmosphere and either utilizing or permanently storing them. These practices are termed “carbon capture and storage” or “carbon capture utilization and storage.” This article provides an overview of geologic carbon sequestration, including its history, regulatory oversight, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Class VI permitting, and the potential risks associated with the practice. Rock units found in Indiana and why they are being explored as potential reservoirs for geologic sequestration projects are also discussed. More information on frequently used scientific terms and a list of acronyms used throughout the paper are provided in Appendix I.