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Carter County voices concerns about proposed carbon‑sequestration project, seeks BLM engagement
Summary
Commissioners discussed a proposed carbon‑sequestration project affecting Carter County, raised concerns about low taxable value, geological faults, CO2 injection safety and the validity of the BLM environmental assessment, and agreed to pursue a cooperative agreement or other formal engagement with BLM to secure a local seat in NEPA processes.
Commissioners and community members spent significant time discussing a proposed carbon‑sequestration project that would use BLM lands in and near Carter County.
Speaker 1 summarized the county’s concern about taxation and local benefit, saying the project is taxed at a much lower rate ("around 3%" as stated in the meeting) than traditional pipelines ("around 12%"), and proposed the concept of a "reverse royalty" or other mechanism to compensate local taxpayers if companies profit from using county lands. "They're putting a product in the ground instead of taking it out, but they're still making money on it," Speaker 1 said, arguing the county should seek compensation if the project proceeds.
Commissioners and participants also flagged technical and safety worries. Speakers noted the proposed injection pressures (discussed at "2,000 psi" in the meeting), the presence of known geological faults near the western boundary of a study area, and incidents elsewhere — including a recent project in Illinois that was paused when piping materials failed. County representatives said Denbury and ExxonMobil (companies mentioned by meeting participants) told the county those issues would be studied but did not provide definitive answers.
Given those uncertainties, commissioners agreed to pursue written engagement with BLM. Speaker 5 said the county is trying to negotiate a cooperative agreement so local officials have "a seat at the table" in NEPA/EA processes for major federal land decisions, a mechanism commissioners said has been used in western Montana and could be adapted for eastern Montana.
What’s next
Commissioners said they will draft and send a letter to the BLM questioning aspects of the environmental assessment cited by the project and pursue a cooperative agreement to ensure county involvement in future permitting and studies. The commission requested staff follow up with BLM contacts already identified in Miles City and the state office.
(Provenance: topic introduced SEG 2444; discussion continues through SEG 2760.)
