AirBuild pitches algae pods and biochar processing to San Juan County as water, soil remediation and workforce opportunity
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Summary
AirBuild representatives described algae‑based water treatment “pods,” pyrolysis processing to make biochar, and a funding plan that blends company investment with grants; county staff and extension specialists discussed pilot sites, deferment studies for sewer lagoons and technician training but no formal commitment was made.
San Juan County officials heard a proposal on Sept. 2, 2025, from AirBuild — a company that develops algae‑based water treatment systems and processes algae into biochar — intended to address local water quality, soil remediation and workforce needs.
John, an AirBuild representative, told the commission the company uses microalgae to remove nutrients and contaminants from water and then converts the algal biomass by pyrolysis into biochar, a nutrient‑rich soil amendment. “We do research on algae, and we started this company to use algae to clean water and clean the air through what's called carbon capture,” he said. The company also sells carbon offsets; John said AirBuild “make[s] money off of selling carbon offsets to Microsoft and Taylor Swift and people like that.”
AirBuild described a modular “pod” system that is solar powered, operated with AI, and intended as a continuous water‑treatment alternative to expanded sewer lagoons or large wastewater treatment plants. Company presenters said the Green River pilot (under construction) will cost about $3 million and that AirBuild will invest roughly $9 million for pyrolysis and algae‑harvesting equipment in sites that meet scale requirements.
County staff and extension representatives said they are interested in pilot projects but would pursue studies and a grants strategy before committing public money. Economic development staff (Talia) asked for a nonbinding letter of intent to allow the county and AirBuild to evaluate potential sites and funding. Don and other attendees discussed grant writing and possible investor support; AirBuild said the company will cover major processing equipment costs but that pods and site studies would need grant funding or local partnership.
Potential technical uses AirBuild and local agriculture speakers described include: - Connecting existing sewer lagoons to AirBuild pods for continuous treatment and lower operational cost compared with traditional upgrades, subject to feasibility and leak studies; - Treating well water and small community supplies to remove metals and other contaminants; presenters said some algae strains can absorb radioactive materials of local concern and can reduce metals that affect livestock; - Producing algal biochar (mixing algae with local organic waste such as Russian olive) to create a local soil amendment and reduce reliance on commercial fertilizer.
Speakers raised operational concerns and next steps: AirBuild said some conversions (e.g., reusing existing lagoons) require site‑specific engineering and leakage studies; company staff said processing equipment needs a minimum regional scale to be cost effective. Presenters suggested staging three pilot sites and combining county, state and private grant funding; AirBuild proposed matching private investment on processing equipment while the county pursues grants for pods and site work.
AirBuild and county staff discussed possible workforce benefits. Presenters said the company would hire and train local technicians to operate and maintain pods and processing equipment and that the county could partner with Utah State University Extension or local apprenticeship programs for training.
No formal vote or contract occurred at the meeting. County staff said they will continue pursuing feasibility studies, coordinate with AirBuild on site selection, and explore grant opportunities.
