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Resident urges halt to carbon storage project, cites fault lines and groundwater risks
Summary
A resident told the board concerns raised by a geophysicist about faults beneath Alexandria warrant stopping a proposed carbon storage project until pre- and post-project groundwater testing and other risk assessments are completed; the speaker also referenced inconsistent plume estimates and a reported $600,000 offer from POET.
During the public-comment period a resident urged the board to halt consideration of a proposed carbon storage project until the risks to local groundwater and public safety are fully understood. The speaker cited a presentation by Dr. Doug Schmidt (identified as affiliated with Purdue University and the University of Alberta) and said the Fortville fault runs under the community and near the proposed well site.
The commenter said residents were given inconsistent estimates of the potential carbon plume'extent (0.6 miles, 1.2 miles and, based on information shared about other counties, possibly three miles or more) and asked why pre-project baseline testing of domestic wells had not been more broadly communicated. The speaker also said POET had offered $600,000 to the city and asked whether that amount is sufficient to guarantee water safety. "I am asking you respectfully but urgently to demand clear answers and do everything within your power to stop this project until the risk to our community are fully understood," the speaker said. The board acknowledged the comment but did not take immediate action on the record.
