Alaska Railbelt Carbon Capture and Storage

Project Summary

Exploring Carbon Dioxide Storage for Alaska’s Railbelt Energy Future

The Alaska Railbelt Carbon Capture and Storage project (ARCCS) is a study evaluating the storage capacity and technical feasibility of permanently storing carbon dioxide (CO₂) deep underground in the northwestern part of Cook Inlet. The project is screening deep geologic formations in depleted natural gas reservoirs near the Beluga River Field and nearby deeper saline aquifer formations for their potential as commercial-scale carbon dioxide storage sites. While the storage capacity is not yet dedicated to any particular project, the ARCCS project is evaluating CO₂ pipeline transportation routes to this location from a proposed new biomass-coal power plant in West Susitna and from two existing Chugach Electric Association natural gas power plants in Anchorage.

Why is a Southcentral carbon storage site vital for Alaska?

Carbon dioxide capture allows projects to move forward aligned with policies of Federal, State, and Local governments and with their own corporate goals. ARCCS, if it proves-up carbon storage capacity, provides options to reduce carbon dioxide output for projects.

For example, a carbon dioxide storage site in northwestern Cook Inlet could facilitate development of a proposed biomass–coal power plant with integrated carbon dioxide capture. This plant aims to reduce the Railbelt’s energy challenges by using locally sourced fuel: a combination of coal and biomass sourced from beetle-killed trees. With more than 100 years of coal reserves and thousands of acres of dead trees, this plant would help stabilize costs and reliability of Alaska’s Railbelt (from Homer to Fairbanks) energy system, reduce pressure on natural gas supplies, and add always-available energy to shore up the electric grid when we need power.

An ARCCS storage site would also provide options for carbon dioxide capture at other plants in Southcentral, including Chugach Electric Association’s natural gas power plants to reduce their carbon footprint. ARCCS also opens the possibility of capturing carbon dioxide from the six-coal fired powerplants in the Interior and transporting it by rail to Southcentral for storage in one managed facility, if a more local carbon dioxide storage site cannot be found.

Potential Benefits for Alaska

Finding a carbon dioxide storage site in the northwestern Cook Inlet could unlock:

Economic value

• Use local coal reserves to deliver long-term secure, dependable, affordable, clean power.
• Create labor/material/equipment demand for design, construction, operations, and support services.
• Enable new business investments based on secure, lower cost energy.

Energy stability

• Increase energy security for the Railbelt.
• Lower electricity costs for the Railbelt and rural communities through the State’s Power Cost Equalization program.

Environmental stewardship

• Reduce our CO₂ footprint and other emissions from electricity generation.
• Help existing plants meet current and future CO₂ emission rules.

STEM inspiration

• Encourage Alaska’s youth to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math to participate in this new energy sector.