CCS Opposition Tracker
Tracking instances of community opposition to Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects in the United States. Part of my dissertation research on The Political Economy of Carbon Capture and Storage.
Click column headers to sort. Download CSV · Full 136-project scan
| Project | Developer | State | Type | Status | Actions | Concerns | Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Hills Storage Hub | Reliant Southwest Alabama | AL | Storage | Denied | legislation protest rally resolution town hall | aquifer contamination | delayed denied moratorium |
| Carbon TerraVault I | California Resources Corp. | CA | Storage | Contested | lawsuit petition | aquifer contamination co2 leak environmental justice pipeline rupture | |
| Montezuma Carbon Hub | Solano/Contra Costa Counties | CA | Pipeline | Pending | coalition formed protest rally | environmental justice pipeline rupture | |
| Tampa Electric Polk Storage Complex | Tampa Electric | FL | Storage | Pending | coalition formed | aquifer contamination | |
| Iowa Eminent Domain Ban (HF 639 / HF 2104) | (Statewide — targeting Summit Carbon pipeline) | IA | Pipeline | Contested | legislation coalition formed petition | eminent domain | legislation failed |
| ADM Decatur Campus | Archer Daniels Midland | IL | Storage | Moratorium | coalition formed lawsuit legislation | aquifer contamination co2 leak environmental justice regulatory failure taxpayer waste | approved despite delayed legislation failed legislation passed moratorium scaled back |
| Champaign County Mahomet Aquifer Moratorium | (Preventive — no single project) | IL | Storage | Moratorium | town hall coalition formed resolution legislation | aquifer contamination co2 leak | moratorium |
| Heartland Greenway Storage Wells (Compass + Vervain) | Heartland Greenway Carbon Storage LLC | IL | Storage | Pending | coalition formed petition | aquifer contamination | |
| Marquis Carbon | Marquis Energy LLC | IL | Storage | Pending | coalition formed lawsuit town hall | aquifer contamination environmental justice | delayed |
| Navigator CO2 / Heartland Greenway (IL/IA/NE/SD/MN Pipeline) | IL | Pipeline | Canceled | coalition formed resolution | environmental justice | denied moratorium withdrawn | |
| One Earth Sequestration | One Earth Sequestration LLC | IL | Pipeline | Denied | town hall coalition formed resolution | aquifer contamination pipeline rupture | denied legislation passed |
| Wolf Carbon Solutions Pipeline | Wolf Carbon Solutions (ADM subsidiary) | IL | Pipeline | Withdrawn | coalition formed town hall | pipeline rupture eminent domain | withdrawn |
| DTE Logansport CCS | DTE | IN | Storage | Contested | town hall coalition formed | aquifer contamination | moratorium |
| Hoosier #1 | One Carbon Partnership | IN | Storage | Pending | coalition formed lawsuit protest rally town hall | aquifer contamination pipeline rupture | |
| POET Biorefining CCS | POET Biorefining | IN | Storage | Contested | town hall coalition formed resolution | aquifer contamination seismicity | moratorium |
| Vault CCS — Linden | Vault | IN | Storage | Contested | coalition formed town hall | aquifer contamination | |
| Wabash Carbon Services | Wabash Valley Resources | IN | Storage | Approved | coalition formed lawsuit legislation petition town hall | aquifer contamination co2 leak eminent domain pipeline rupture regulatory failure residential proximity seismicity taxpayer waste | moratorium withdrawn |
| PureField/Russell | Russell County | KS | Storage | Pending | coalition formed town hall | taxpayer waste | |
| 1PointFive / Magnolia Sequestration Hub | 1PointFive (Occidental Petroleum subsidiary) | LA | Storage | Contested | town hall resolution legislation | aquifer contamination eminent domain | moratorium |
| Hackberry Sequestration | Cameron Parish | LA | Storage | Pending | lawsuit town hall | aquifer contamination pipeline rupture seismicity | |
| Louisiana Statewide Opposition and Moratorium | LA | CCS | Contested | coalition formed lawsuit legislation | eminent domain environmental justice | legislation failed moratorium | |
| River Parish Sequestration Hub | Blue Sky Infrastructure | LA | Storage | Contested | town hall | environmental justice aquifer contamination residential proximity | |
| Core CO2 Manitee CCS | Core CO2 Services | MS | Storage | Pending | coalition formed | pipeline rupture co2 leak | |
| ExxonMobil/Denbury Snowy River CCS | ExxonMobil / Denbury | MT | Storage | Contested | lawsuit petition | pipeline rupture co2 leak eminent domain | scaled back |
| Minnkota / Project Tundra | Minnkota Power Cooperative | ND | CCS | Contested | coalition formed legislation | false solution taxpayer waste | |
| Summit Carbon Solutions (ND/IA/SD/MN/NE Pipeline + Storage) | ND | Pipeline | Denied | coalition formed lawsuit legislation | eminent domain pipeline rupture | denied legislation passed moratorium | |
| Four Corners / San Juan Basin Sequestration | Four Corners Carbon Capture LLC | NM | Storage | Contested | town hall legislation | false solution taxpayer waste | legislation failed |
| Ohio CCS Legislative Opposition (HB 170 / SB 136) | (Statewide regulatory framework) | OH | Storage | Contested | town hall coalition formed | eminent domain aquifer contamination taxpayer waste | approved despite |
| ExxonMobil Newton County CCS | ExxonMobil | TX | Storage | Contested | town hall resolution | aquifer contamination regulatory failure | |
| Oxy Brown Pelican CCS | Oxy Low Carbon Ventures | TX | Storage | Approved | petition town hall | aquifer contamination co2 leak environmental justice | approved despite |
| Rose CCS | ExxonMobil | TX | Pipeline | Contested | coalition formed petition protest rally town hall | aquifer contamination pipeline rupture regulatory failure residential proximity |
Reliant Southwest Alabama · AL, Covington County · Storage
30 million metric tons CO2/year injection — among the largest proposed CCS projects in the world. 74,000-acre storage area in Covington County near Florala, AL.
Details & Sources
Timeline
- Reliant submitted Class VI application to EPA
- Aug 14, 2025: EPA rejected application Aug 14, 2025 (incomplete — missing Area of Review maps)
- Nov 13, 2025: Town hall held Nov 13, 2025 ("Not in our backyard")
- 2025: State lawmakers announced opposition Nov 2025
- 2026: HB61 pre-filed; expected on May 2026 ballot as constitutional amendment
- 2026: Covington County Commission unanimous opposition vote Jan 2026
- 2026: HB61 delayed in House Economic Development Committee Feb 2026
Opposition Actors
- Rep. Matthew Hammett (R-Andalusia) (state legislator) — Pre-filed HB61/HB64 to ban Class V/VI wells in Covington County
- Sen. Josh Carnley (R-Ino) (state legislator) — Introduced SB266 (Senate companion)
- Covington County Commission (county government) — Voted unanimously to oppose the project (Jan 2026)
- Wesley Laird (landowner group) — Family owned land 75+ years; vocal public spokesperson
- Courtney Luckett (other) — Mobilized residents; hosted town halls
- Okaloosa County Commission (FL) (county government) — Unanimously opposed; concern about shared aquifer
- Walton County Commissioner (FL) (county government) — Warned of drinking water impacts in North Walton
California Resources Corp. · CA, Kern County · Storage
49 MMT CO2 injection and storage at Elk Hills oil and gas field near Bakersfield. First CCS project of its kind in California.
Details & Sources
Timeline
- Kern County received "thousands of comments" during EIR process
- 2024: Board of Supervisors approved final EIR: October 2024
- County admitted shortly before approval it cannot ensure permanent CO2 storage
- November 22, 2024: Lawsuit filed: November 22, 2024
Opposition Actors
- Center for Biological Diversity (environmental ngo) — Co-plaintiff in CEQA lawsuit (representing itself)
- Earthjustice (legal advocacy) — Representing Central CA EJ Network and Sierra Club in lawsuit
- Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment (ej org) — Representing Committee for a Better Shafter et al.
- Central California Environmental Justice Network (community group) — Plaintiff in lawsuit (represented by Earthjustice)
- Sierra Club (environmental ngo) — Plaintiff in lawsuit (represented by Earthjustice)
- Committee for a Better Shafter (community group) — Plaintiff (represented by CRPE)
- Delano Guardians (community group) — Plaintiff (represented by CRPE)
- Comite Progreso de Lamont (community group) — Plaintiff (represented by CRPE)
Solano/Contra Costa Counties · CA, Solano County · Pipeline
45-mile CO2 pipeline from Richmond refinery through Contra Costa and Solano counties to injection site in Montezuma Hills.
Details & Sources
Timeline
- September 9, 2025: CACTI Coalition launched: September 9, 2025, press conference at Solano County seat (Fairfield)
- 2025: Documentary screening and community organizing: October 2025
Opposition Actors
- CACTI Coalition (Communities Against Carbon Transport and Injection) (coalition) — Launched Sept 2025; Bay Area focus
- Food & Water Watch (environmental ngo) — Co-organized CACTI launch and documentary screening
- San Francisco Baykeeper (environmental ngo) — Member of CACTI; organized press conference
- Sunflower Alliance (environmental ngo) — Reported on CACTI launch
- 350 Contra Costa Action (other) — Joined CACTI coalition
Tampa Electric · FL, Polk County · Storage
First CCS project proposed in Florida — carbon storage in Polk County
Details & Sources
(Statewide — targeting Summit Carbon pipeline) · IA · Pipeline
Legislation to ban eminent domain for CO2 pipelines statewide; HF 639 vetoed by Governor Reynolds
Details & Sources
Timeline
- 2025: HF 639 passes both Iowa chambers — bans eminent domain for CO2 pipelines
- June 11, 2025: Governor Reynolds vetoes HF 639
- January 2026: HF 2104 passes Iowa House 64-28 — flatly bans eminent domain for carbon oxide pipelines
- March 2026: Pipeline opponents call on Senate to stop 'horsing around' — bill pending in Senate
Opposition Actors
- Iowa Sierra Club (environmental ngo) — Campaign to ban eminent domain for CO2 pipelines
- Pipeline Fighters Hub / Bold Alliance (landowner group) — Multi-state coordination
- Iowa landowner groups (landowner group) — Bipartisan House majority supporting ban
- Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) (state legislator) — Vetoed HF 639 (June 11, 2025) on pro-business grounds
Archer Daniels Midland · IL, Macon County · Storage
Nation's first commercial carbon sequestration facility. Operating since 2011; ~4.5 MMT CO2 injected over 13 years. Class VI well under EPA permit.
Details & Sources
Timeline
- 2024: CO2 leak detected at monitoring well: March 2024
- July 31, 2024: ADM delayed EPA notification until July 31, 2024 (3+ months late)
- 2024: E&E News reported leak publicly: September 2024
- 2024: Second leak discovered: September/October 2024
- EPA compliance order issued; ADM paused injection
- 2024: Illinois SAFE CCS Act signed July 2024 (new safety guardrails, 2-year pipeline moratorium)
- Aug 29, 2025: ADM resumed injection: Aug 29, 2025
- Legislative effort to ban sequestration under Mahomet Aquifer stalled in Senate
Opposition Actors
- Prairie Rivers Network (environmental ngo) — Led "Protect the Mahomet Aquifer" campaign; called for legislative ban
- Eco-Justice Collaborative (ej org) — Co-led Mahomet Aquifer campaign; published analysis of leaks
- Illinois People's Action (community group) — Part of Protect the Mahomet Aquifer coalition
- Sierra Club (Prairie Group) (environmental ngo) — Joined aquifer protection campaign
- David Horn (other) — Said city was "blindsided" by delayed leak notification
- Center for Progressive Reform (legal advocacy) — Published statement calling leak "dangerous failure"
- Taxpayers for Common Sense (fiscal watchdog) — Criticized ADM restarting injection; highlighted taxpayer risk
- Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (coalition) — Published statement on risks of CCS after leak
- Rep. Carol Ammons (state legislator) — Championed Mahomet Aquifer protection legislation
(Preventive — no single project) · IL, Champaign County · Storage
County-wide moratorium on carbon sequestration to protect Mahomet Aquifer (sole-source aquifer for ~1 million people)
Details & Sources
Timeline
- October 2024: Environment and Land Use Committee votes unanimously — standing-room-only crowd of 70+
- December 12, 2024: Zoning Board of Appeals public hearing on moratorium
- January 23, 2025: Champaign County Board approves 12-month moratorium on carbon sequestration
Opposition Actors
- Prairie Rivers Network (environmental ngo) — Led campaign to establish moratorium
- Eco-Justice Collaborative (ej org) — Co-organized moratorium effort
- Coalition to Stop CO2 Pipelines (coalition) — Mobilized public support
- Champaign County Board (county government) — Approved 12-month moratorium (Jan 23, 2025)
Heartland Greenway Carbon Storage LLC · IL, DeWitt / McLean County · Storage
Three injection well sites (Compass in DeWitt Co., Vervain in McLean/Logan Co.) — Navigator CO2 successor entity for storage
Details & Sources
Timeline
- Jul 30 - Sep 13, 2025: EPA draft permit public comment period
Opposition Actors
- Coalition to Stop CO2 Pipelines (coalition) — Organized opposition in Illinois
- Eco-Justice Collaborative (ej org) — Community education on injection well risks
- Sierra Club Heart of Illinois (environmental ngo) — Submitted detailed safety analyses
Marquis Energy LLC · IL, Putnam County · Storage
Injection of up to 1.5 MMT CO2/year from Hennepin ethanol plant over 6 years. EPA draft permit issued September 2025.
Details & Sources
Opposition Actors
- Sierra Club (Heart of Illinois Group) (environmental ngo) — Published multiple detailed analyses of geological/safety risks
- Eco-Justice Collaborative (ej org) — Organized community comments; connected to Coalition to Stop CO2 Pipelines
- Pam Richart (individual) — Led community education on Class VI well risks
- Coalition to Stop CO2 Pipelines (coalition) — Mobilized comment submissions
· IL · Pipeline
1,300-mile CO2 pipeline from ~20 ethanol plants across 5 states to underground injection in south-central Illinois.
Details & Sources
Opposition Actors
- Coalition to Stop CO2 Pipelines (IL) (coalition) — Founded Jan 2022; organized local government resolutions and moratoriums
- Eco-Justice Collaborative (Pam Richart, Lan Richart) (ej org) — Co-founded Coalition; won IL Environmental Council Community Organizing Award (Oct 2024)
- Bold Alliance / Pipeline Fighters Hub (landowner group) — Multi-state coordination
- Illinois Coalition to Stop CO2 Pipelines (coalition) — ICC intervention
- Iowa Sierra Club (Jess Mazour) (environmental ngo) — Iowa organizing
- Dakota Rural Action (landowner group) — SD organizing
Selected Sources
Significance
First major CCS pipeline defeat driven by grassroots opposition. Model for subsequent opposition campaigns.
One Earth Sequestration LLC · IL, Ford County · Pipeline
5.92-mile CO2 pipeline from ethanol plant to injection wells; Ford and McLean Counties
Details & Sources
Timeline
- December 14, 2023: McLean County Board rejects special-use permit
- Oct 28 - Nov 12, 2024: Ford County ZBA holds 4 nights of public hearings
- November 27, 2024: Ford County Board approves carbon sequestration zoning ordinance 8-0
Opposition Actors
- Ford County ZBA and Board (county government) — 4 nights of public hearings; approved strict zoning ordinance 8-0
- McLean County Board (county government) — Rejected special-use permit application (Dec 14, 2023)
- Coalition to Stop CO2 Pipelines (coalition) — Organized opposition
- Save Our Illinois Land (community group) — Local advocacy
Wolf Carbon Solutions (ADM subsidiary) · IL · Pipeline
Multi-county CO2 pipeline across 9 Illinois counties; also proposed in Iowa
Details & Sources
Timeline
- 2023: ICC staff recommends denial; Wolf withdraws Illinois application (Nov 2023)
- January 3, 2024: ICC Board unanimously approves Wolf withdrawal
- 2024: Wolf also withdraws Iowa pipeline application
Opposition Actors
- Coalition to Stop CO2 Pipelines (coalition) — Organized opposition across 9 counties
- Eco-Justice Collaborative (ej org) — Co-led opposition campaign
- Citizens Against Predatory Pipelines (community group) — Local opposition organizing
- ICC Staff (Brett Seagle) (other) — Recommended denial due to public safety concerns
DTE · IN, Cass County · Storage
Carbon sequestration project in Cass County, Indiana
Details & Sources
Opposition Actors
- Cass County residents (community group) — Town hall opposition
- Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana (environmental ngo) — Statewide CCS tracking
One Carbon Partnership · IN, Randolph County · Storage
Injection of up to 450,000 metric tons CO2/year for 30 years (13.5 MMT total) at Cardinal Ethanol facility in Randolph County.
Details & Sources
Timeline
- EPA issued draft permit (49-day public comment period)
- May 29, 2025: Public hearing at Randolph County 4-H Fairgrounds, Houston Hall: May 29, 2025
- Public hearing at Winchester Community High School: additional date
- Comments included opposition to CCS generally, safety concerns, technical arguments
Opposition Actors
- Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana (environmental ngo) — Statewide CCS tracking; submitted comments
- Indiana Action Team (landowner group) — Legal support for affected landowners
- Local residents (Randolph County) (other) — Testified at public hearing on safety/opposition
POET Biorefining · IN, Wabash County · Storage
250,000 mt CO2/year injected at 1,400-2,000 psi for 12 years from ethanol plant
Details & Sources
Timeline
- April 2025: Wabash County Plan Commission meeting — residents filled building
- June 2025: Wabash County Commissioners pass indefinite moratorium on CCS permits
- March 5, 2026: POET files federal lawsuit challenging moratorium
- March 17, 2026: WCEPA hosts public meeting on property rights at Northfield High School
Opposition Actors
- Wabash County Environmental Protection Alliance (WCEPA) (community group) — Formed March 2026; hosted public meeting on property rights
- Josh Leffel (individual) — Resident leading opposition since 2024
- Wabash County Board of Commissioners (county government) — Passed indefinite moratorium banning CCS permits (June 2025)
Legal Actions
- POET filed federal lawsuit against Wabash County Commissioners (March 5, 2026) challenging moratorium as unconstitutional — Ongoing
Vault · IN, Montgomery County · Storage
Carbon sequestration project in Montgomery County, Indiana
Details & Sources
Opposition Actors
- Montgomery County residents (community group) — Opposition to CCS injection in county
- Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana (environmental ngo) — Statewide CCS tracking and advocacy
Wabash Valley Resources · IN, Vigo County · Storage
1.67 MMT CO2/year injection for 12 years from former Duke Energy coal gasification plant in West Terre Haute. Produces hydrogen/ammonia fertilizer using petroleum coke. $1.6B DOE loan.
Details & Sources
Timeline
- 2023: Opposition mobilized 2023 as project details emerged
- 2023: IN SB451 passed 2023 (forces landowners to accept subsurface CO2 storage without consent — but exempts WVR "pilot project" from 70% consent requirement)
- 2025: Public hearings packed with opponents (Jul 2025)
- 2025: DOE closed $1.6B loan: Oct 2025 (despite opposition)
- Carbon sequestration rules approved over residents' objections
Opposition Actors
- Concerned Citizens Against Wabash Valley Resources (community group) — Led grassroots opposition; Facebook organizing; attended every Vigo County meeting
- Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana (Kerwin Olson, exec. dir.) (environmental ngo) — Published detailed CCS tracking page; called IN regulators "pay-to-play permit-issuing agencies"
- Indiana Action Team (landowner group) — Filed legal challenges; educated landowners on rights
- Janet Cianteo (individual) — Public spokesperson; criticized $1.6B DOE loan during government shutdown
- Bold Alliance (landowner group) — Parent network of Indiana Action Team
Russell County · KS, Russell County · Storage
1.8 MMT CO2 injection into deep rock formations (~3,500 ft depth) over 12 years. First carbon sequestration project proposed in Kansas.
Details & Sources
Timeline
- Dec 18, 2025: EPA tentatively approved draft permit: Dec 18, 2025
- Feb 1, 2026: Public comment period open until Feb 1, 2026
1PointFive (Occidental Petroleum subsidiary) · LA, Allen Parish County · Storage
Large-scale CO2 storage hub; ExxonMobil also proposed wells in area
Details & Sources
Timeline
- January 14, 2025: Allen Parish officials hold public hearing on proposed CO2 project
- February 24, 2025: 125+ attend town hall at Allen Parish Civic Center; 3-hour meeting focused on Chicot Aquifer risks
- August 2025: Allen Parish rescinds carbon capture ordinance after ExxonMobil lawsuit
- October 6, 2025: Allen Parish Police Jury unanimously votes to object to Class VI permits
Opposition Actors
- We the People (grassroots group) (community group) — Hosted 125+ person town hall at Allen Parish Civic Center
- Rep. Charles Owen (R-Rosepine) (state legislator) — Sponsored local control bill
- Louisiana CO2 Alliance (coalition) — Multi-parish coalition pushing for local control legislation
- Allen Parish Police Jury (county government) — Unanimously voted to object to Class VI permits (Oct 2025)
Legal Actions
- ExxonMobil sued Allen Parish after parish rescinded carbon capture ordinance — Ongoing
Cameron Parish · LA, Cameron Parish County · Storage
Injection of up to 2 MMT CO2/year for 20 years. CO2 sourced from Cameron LNG export terminal. First LA Class VI permit granted.
Details & Sources
Timeline
- Permit issued (first in Louisiana)
- Alliance for Affordable Energy launched "Say No to LNG and Carbon Capture" campaign
- Public hearing: May 5 (date from campaign materials)
- Written comment deadline: June 5
Opposition Actors
- Alliance for Affordable Energy (environmental ngo) — Organized public comment campaign; opposed permit at hearing
· LA · CCS
Details & Sources
Timeline
- 2024: Opposition mounted through 2024-2025 as project applications multiplied
- 2025: Governor Landry moratorium: October 2025 (new applications only; existing exempt)
- Oct 17, 2025: Save My Louisiana rebuttal: Oct 17, 2025 (called order "deceptively sly" and "unconstitutional")
- Nov 20, 2025: Save My Louisiana lawsuit filed: Nov 20, 2025 (19th Judicial District, Baton Rouge)
- Mar 31, 2026: Landowner Protection Act killed in House Natural Resources Committee: Mar 31, 2026
Opposition Actors
- Save My Louisiana, Inc. (community group) — Lead plaintiff in eminent domain lawsuit; members from Allen, Beauregard, Livingston, Rapides, Vernon parishes
- Louisiana People Against Carbon Capture (community group) — Grassroots organizing
- Healthy Gulf (environmental ngo) — Criticized CCS as fossil fuel industry scheme
- RISE St. James (Sharon Lavigne) (community group) — Opposed petrochemical/CCS expansion in Cancer Alley
- Vessel Project of Louisiana (Roishetta Ozane) (community group) — Environmental justice organizing
- Alliance for Affordable Energy (environmental ngo) — Organized against Hackberry and other projects
- For a Better Bayou (community group) — Local opposition
- Greater New Orleans Housing Alliance (other) — Coalition member
- Imagine Water Works (other) — Coalition member
- Louisiana CO2 Alliance (community group) — Pushed for local control legislation
- Earthworks (environmental ngo) — Celebrated blocking LA CCS project; organized "growing resistance"
- Rep. Mike Johnson (Speaker Pro-Tempore) (state legislator) — Authored Landowner Protection Act to block eminent domain for CCS
Blue Sky Infrastructure · LA, Ascension Parish County · Storage
CO2 injection test well near Donaldsonville/Geismar industrial corridor
Details & Sources
Timeline
- January 30, 2025: Public hearing at Ascension Parish Courthouse — ~100 attendees nearly unanimously opposed
Opposition Actors
- Ascension Parish Councilman Oliver Joseph (county government) — Strongly opposed citing poverty and lack of community engagement
- Shamell Lavigne / RISE St. James (ej org) — Opposed citing CO2 pipeline risks in residential areas
- Ascension Parish residents (community group) — Nearly unanimously opposed at hearing (~100 attendees)
Core CO2 Services · MS, Wayne County · Storage
Two injection wells (Manitee 23 and 24) in Wayne County, Mississippi — near Satartia pipeline rupture region
Details & Sources
ExxonMobil / Denbury · MT, Carter County · Storage
~100,000 acres, 150 million tons CO2 over 20 years in southeastern Montana
Details & Sources
Timeline
- April 2024: Carter County ranchers voice concerns at public meeting
- 2024: BLM limits project advancement after rancher pushback
Opposition Actors
- Liz Barbour (landowner group) — Carter County rancher; lobbied in Washington DC against project
- Tom Giacometto (landowner group) — Broadus rancher; sued Denbury for damages from 16 pipeline leak incidents
- Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC) (environmental ngo) — Published analysis calling project a taxpayer shakedown
Legal Actions
- Tom Giacometto v. Denbury — damages from 16 pipeline leak incidents including explosions — Ongoing
Minnkota Power Cooperative · ND, Oliver County · CCS
Carbon capture retrofit of Milton R. Young coal plant (455 MW) + underground storage in Broom Creek and Deadwood formations
Details & Sources
Opposition Actors
- Cross-state environmental coalition (coalition) — Coalition opposing coal plant CCS as extending fossil fuel life
- Northwest Landowners Association (landowner group) — Challenging ND CCS laws
· ND, Oliver County · Pipeline
Multi-state CO2 pipeline network from ethanol plants to underground storage in western North Dakota. One of the largest proposed CO2 pipeline projects in the US.
Details & Sources
Timeline
- SD Public Utilities Commission denied permit (route/county ordinance issues)
- 2025: SD passed law banning eminent domain for CO2 pipelines: March 2025
- 2025: Two lawsuits allowed to advance in ND: May 2025
- 2025: ND Judge Anthony Swain Benson ruled amalgamation law unconstitutional: December 2025
- March 10, 2026: ND Judge Jackson Lofgren voided Summit storage permit (second ruling): March 10, 2026
- 2025: Iowa lawsuit paused while permit changes proceed: Dec 2025
Opposition Actors
- Northwest Landowners Association (landowner group) — Plaintiff in lawsuit challenging amalgamation law as unconstitutional
- Bold Alliance / Pipeline Fighters Hub (landowner group) — Coordination, legal support, media
- Emma Schmit (individual) — Pipeline Fighters Director; spokesperson
- Jane Kleeb (individual) — Strategic leadership; noted eminent domain is "losing strategy"
- Dakota Rural Action (landowner group) — Organized SD landowner opposition
- CURE (Clean Up the River Environment) (environmental ngo) — CCS Action Network co-sponsor
- Iowa Sierra Club (Jess Mazour) (environmental ngo) — Organized Iowa opposition
Selected Sources
Notes
This is the paradigmatic case of the "horseshoe politics" opposition pattern — left (environmental) and right (property rights) united against CCS.
Four Corners Carbon Capture LLC · NM, San Juan County · Storage
CO2 storage tied to San Juan Generating Station and Four Corners coal plant region
Details & Sources
Timeline
- 2024: NM SB 215 tabled 8-1 in Senate Conservation Committee
- 2025: HB 457 passed House 48-15 but died in Senate
Opposition Actors
- Sierra Club (Rio Grande Chapter) (environmental ngo) — Opposed CCS as extending coal plant life
- Western Environmental Law Center (legal advocacy) — Legal advocacy against NM CCS legislation
Selected Sources
(Statewide regulatory framework) · OH · Storage
State legislation allowing forced consolidation of pore space at 70% threshold; preempts local control
Details & Sources
Timeline
- May 7, 2025: House Natural Resources Committee testimony opposing HB 170
- May 19, 2025: Community meeting in Marietta, OH — activists, producers, township trustees, water association
- October 2025: Ohio House passes HB 170 by 93-4 vote
Opposition Actors
- Ohio River Valley Institute (environmental ngo) — Published detailed analysis of bills
- Buckeye Environmental Network (environmental ngo) — 45Q repeal letter signatory; CCS opposition
- Concerned Ohio River Residents (community group) — 45Q repeal letter signatory
- FreshWater Accountability Project (environmental ngo) — Active in water protection campaigns
ExxonMobil · TX, Newton County · Storage
Carbon sequestration test drilling permitted by TX Railroad Commission (Jan 8, 2026)
Details & Sources
Timeline
- January 8, 2026: TX RRC permits test drilling
- 2026: Newton County Commissioners Court holds informational meeting; ExxonMobil did not attend
Opposition Actors
- Newton County Commissioners Court (county government) — Held informational meeting; expected to consider resolution opposing project
- Newton County residents (community group) — Voiced concerns; ExxonMobil was no-show at county workshop
Oxy Low Carbon Ventures · TX, Ector County · Storage
Class VI injection wells at existing EOR site in West Texas
Details & Sources
Timeline
- 2025: EPA public comment period; 29 commenters identified with classified stances
- October 2025: TX RRC approves permit (not protested)
Opposition Actors
- Commission Shift (environmental ngo) — Filed detailed comments requesting 90-day extension; raised plugged well integrity concerns
- Sarah Stogner (individual) — Attorney/advocate; submitted photographic evidence of corroding CO2 fittings
- Environmental Integrity Project (environmental ngo) — Submitted opposing comments
- Center for Progressive Reform (legal advocacy) — Submitted opposing comments
ExxonMobil · TX, Jefferson County · Pipeline
18-mile CO2 pipeline from Mid-County to injection wells near Cheek, TX (unincorporated community in western Jefferson County). Class VI permit applied to TX Railroad Commission (RRC).
Details & Sources
Timeline
- EPA opened public comment period; 110+ comments filed
- Cheek residents held town hall and called for meeting with officials
- Jan 28, 2026: TX RRC prehearing conference: Jan 28, 2026, Austin
- 2026: TX RRC contested hearing: Mar 16-20, 2026 (residents protested)
Opposition Actors
- Cheek Texas Community Association (community group) — Led organized opposition; conducted independent research; sent letter to local/state leaders
- Douglas Cormier (individual) — Public spokesperson; testified project "hasn't been studied long enough" and is "quite detrimental" to community
- Diamond D Ranch property owners (landowner group) — Raised property and safety concerns stretching from China to Cheek
- Lindsey Gulden (individual) — Former ExxonMobil employee; presented at Cheek community meeting (slides in `evidence/us/Lindsey Gulden slides/`)
Led Feb 2025 45Q repeal letter (170+ signatories); 120+ org PIPES Act letter (Oct 2025); co-sponsored CCS Action Network; organized CACTI Coalition
Opposes: Multiple — national campaign
Co-sponsored CCS Action Network; parent of Indiana Action Team; coordinated multi-state pipeline opposition
Opposes: Summit Carbon, Navigator, Wabash (via IN Action Team)
Co-sponsored CCS Action Network; 500+ org letter signatory; CIEL letter; COP28 advocacy
Opposes: National — all CCS as fossil fuel subsidy
CEQA lawsuit vs. Carbon TerraVault I; broader CCS litigation strategy
Opposes: Carbon TerraVault I; San Joaquin Renewables biomass project
CEQA lawsuit vs. Carbon TerraVault I (representing Sierra Club + CCEJN); "Help stop harmful CCS" campaign
Opposes: Carbon TerraVault I
Official position: CCS is "not a climate solution"; Iowa chapters opposed Summit; Heart of Illinois opposed Marquis; plaintiff in TerraVault lawsuit
Opposes: Summit, Navigator, Marquis, Carbon TerraVault I
Published "Carbon Capture's Publicly Funded Failure" report; found 79% of CCS capacity goes to EOR; $30B in public funds wasted
Opposes: National — research and advocacy
Organized 500+ org letter (Jul 2021); CCS Action Network speaker
Opposes: National — international policy advocacy
45Q repeal letter signatory; 11 local chapters signed on
Opposes: National — climate policy
45Q repeal letter signatory
Opposes: National
Celebrated blocking LA CCS project; organized "growing resistance" campaign
Opposes: Louisiana projects
45Q repeal letter signatory
Opposes: National
45Q repeal letter signatory; tracks CCS/bioenergy nexus
Opposes: National
Published ADM taxpayer risk analysis; joint letter with Heartland Impact supporting 45Q repeal (HR 1946)
Opposes: ADM Decatur; 45Q policy
Co-founded Coalition to Stop CO2 Pipelines (Jan 2022); co-sponsored CCS Action Network; Protect the Mahomet Aquifer; won IL Environmental Council Community Organizing Award
Opposes: Navigator, Wolf Carbon, Marquis, ADM
Organized moratoriums, local government resolutions, ICC intervention; stopped Navigator and Wolf pipelines
Opposes: Navigator, Wolf Carbon, all IL pipelines
CCS Action Network co-sponsor
Opposes: IL pipeline/sequestration projects
Lead plaintiff in eminent domain lawsuit; members from 5 parishes; challenged Landry moratorium as inadequate
Opposes: All LA CCS projects; eminent domain challenge
Grassroots organizing against LA projects
Opposes: LA statewide
Detailed CCS tracking pages; legislative advocacy; called regulators "pay-to-play"
Opposes: Wabash Valley Resources, Hoosier #1
Filed constitutional/condemnation challenges; educated landowners; DC fly-in for 45Q repeal
Opposes: Wabash Valley Resources, Hoosier #1
1,000+ members; testified at every county meeting; Facebook organizing
Opposes: Wabash Valley Resources
Launched Sept 2025; opposes Montezuma Carbon Hub
Opposes: Montezuma Carbon Hub
Plaintiff in lawsuit — won constitutional ruling voiding Summit's storage permit
Opposes: Summit Carbon Solutions
CCS Action Network co-sponsor; organized SD landowner opposition
Opposes: Summit Carbon, Navigator
CCS Action Network co-sponsor
Opposes: Summit Carbon
Led Protect the Mahomet Aquifer campaign; called for legislative ban
Opposes: ADM Decatur; all IL sequestration
"Say No to LNG and CCS" campaign; organized Hackberry comments
Opposes: Hackberry Sequestration
Criticized CCS in Louisiana
Opposes: LA statewide
Plaintiff in TerraVault lawsuit (represented by Earthjustice)
Opposes: Carbon TerraVault I
Representing community groups in TerraVault lawsuit
Opposes: Carbon TerraVault I
Led opposition to Rose CCS; independent research; letter to officials
Opposes: Rose CCS
Provides "objective and holistic information" on CCS to public/press/policymakers; challenges CCS efficacy claims
Published "Why CCS is not the solution"; CCS Action Network featured speaker
45Q repeal letter original signatory
Maps CCS projects; data analysis
CCS Action Network co-sponsor; 45Q letter original signatory
45Q repeal letter signatories; health risk analysis
Since the Inflation Reduction Act expanded the 45Q tax credit in August 2022, a wave of new CCS project applications has triggered a corresponding wave of local opposition. Of the 31 tracked instances, the majority emerged after 2022 — driven by concerns over eminent domain, aquifer contamination, and pipeline safety. Opposition has crossed partisan lines, uniting property-rights conservatives and environmental justice advocates.
Legal Actions & Regulatory Challenges (14)
Kern County Superior Court, CA · Status: Filed Nov 2024; pending · First CCS-specific CEQA challenge in CA
Plaintiffs: CBD, Earthjustice (for CCEJN + Sierra Club), CRPE (for Committee for a Better Shafter, Delano Guardians, Comite Progreso de Lamont)
19th Judicial District, Baton Rouge · Status: Filed Nov 2025; pending · Constitutional challenge to CCS eminent domain
Plaintiffs: Save My Louisiana + Allen/Beauregard/Livingston/Rapides/Vernon parish residents/officials
NE Judicial District, ND · Status: Ruled unconstitutional Dec 2025 (Judge Benson) · First ruling striking down forced CCS land access
Plaintiffs: Northwest Landowners Association
South Central Judicial District, ND · Status: Permit voided Mar 2026 (Judge Lofgren) · Second ND ruling; storage permit nullified
Plaintiffs: Landowner group
Iowa courts · Status: Paused Dec 2025 pending permit changes · Multi-state litigation
Plaintiffs: Landowners/opponents
Federal (EPA) · Status: Order issued 2024; injection paused then resumed Aug 2025 · Safe Drinking Water Act violations
Plaintiffs: EPA (enforcement)
Federal (EPA) · Status: Application rejected Aug 2025 (incomplete) · Largest proposed project blocked at application stage
Plaintiffs: EPA (regulatory)
Federal (PHMSA) · Status: $2.8M penalty; "agreed to findings" · Second-largest civil penalty in PHMSA history
Plaintiffs: PHMSA (enforcement)
Federal (PHMSA) · Status: $2.4M fine (Feb 2025) · Pipeline company fined for menacing federal inspectors
Plaintiffs: PHMSA (enforcement)
Alabama Legislature · Status: Pre-filed; delayed in committee Feb 2026 · Would ban CCS via constitutional amendment
Plaintiffs: Rep. Hammett / Sen. Carnley
South Dakota Legislature · Status: Passed March 2025 · First state to ban eminent domain for CO2 pipelines
Plaintiffs: SD Legislature
Illinois Legislature · Status: Signed July 2024 · Includes 2-year pipeline moratorium; new safety requirements
Plaintiffs: IL Legislature
U.S. Congress · Status: Introduced Mar 2025; referred to Ways & Means · Bipartisan bill to eliminate core CCS subsidy
Plaintiffs: Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA); Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA)
Louisiana Legislature · Status: Killed in committee Mar 31, 2026 · Failed attempt to block CCS eminent domain
Plaintiffs: Speaker Pro-Temp. Mike Johnson
This database is maintained by Denis Lomov, PhD Candidate in the Department of Political Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara. It is updated at least monthly. The data presented are compiled from publicly available sources, including press releases, regulatory filings, public comment records, court documents, and media coverage. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, the information should be treated as estimates. We assume no responsibility or liability for errors or omissions. Please submit feedback via the contact page.
Data last updated on 2026-04-12.