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Council proposes one-year $1 lease to let AirBuild start carbon-capture pilot on city land
Summary
City staff proposed leasing a roughly half-acre parcel of underused sewer-pond land to AirBuild for one year at $1 so the company can build a smaller pilot after losing larger project funding; councilors indicated support to proceed and to re-evaluate in a year.
Green River staff told the council on April 29 they had spoken with AirBuild’s president and recommended a short-term, nominal lease to enable the company to proceed with a reduced, pilot-scale carbon-capture installation.
What staff said: a staff presenter said AirBuild had lost funding for the originally planned facility and now seeks roughly half an acre to start a smaller demonstration. "My proposition is we lease them that half acre for 1 year, not a 25 year lease, and for, like, a dollar," the presenter said, explaining the short-term lease would allow AirBuild to sign contracts tied to carbon credits and demonstrate the technology for future expansion.
Council response and next steps: councilors supported negotiating a revised lease that shortens the term, reduces the footprint and records any site-condition requirements (including whether the parcel is dilapidated or needs remediation). Staff said only minor changes would be required to the current lease language — location, term and consideration — and recommended returning a revised lease for formal council approval. The item will be brought back with a redlined lease and any site-assessment notations.
Why it matters: the pilot could let AirBuild demonstrate capture performance and unlock carbon-credit funding; the city will reassess any longer-term arrangement after the initial year and once the company’s financing stabilizes.
Meeting outcome: council discussion ended with staff direction to prepare the short-term lease amendment; no final executed lease was recorded during the special meeting.
