CarbonFrontier Carbon Capture and Sequestration by Aera Energy, LLC

CarbonFrontier Carbon Capture and Sequestration by Aera Energy, LLC

The CarbonFrontier CCS Project, as proposed by AERA Energy, LLC would develop an approximate 13,229 acre carbon capture and sequestration field, associated Class VI geologic sequestration injection wells, and related improvements for storage of Carbon Dioxide (CO2). The proposed project would capture CO2 from existing sources within the South Belridge oil field and transport it by pipeline to dedicated Class VI injection wells within the North Belridge oil field to be injected into identified geologically confined reservoirs for storage. The underground CCS formation is a depleted oil and gas reservoir with saline formation water. The CO2 distribution pipelines, and associated infrastructure would be new construction. Implementation of the proposed project includes the following requests: • Zone Classification Change (ZCC) from A-1 (limited Agriculture) to A (Exclusive Agriculture) on approximately 1,737 acres and from NR (Natural Resources – 20 acre minimum) to A (Exclusive Agriculture) on approximately 47 acres. • Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow a CCS facility, associated Class VI geologic sequestration injection wells, and related improvements for storage of CO2 on approximately 13,229 acres. CCS has been determined to be a storage operation under the Kern County Zoning Ordinance, Section 19.08.085 and Section 19.06.020. Therefore, CCS in either existing formation or tanks is an allowed use with a CUP in the following districts: o A District (Exclusive Agriculture) o M-2 District (Medium Industrial) o M-3 District (Heavy Industrial) Implementation of the proposed project would also require permits from the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for up to nine (9) Class VI injection wells in compliance with the UIC Program for Class VI injection wells (40 CFR 146.81 et seq.). The proposed project area has been identified as a location suitable for such storage and a potential to contribute to California’s goals for carbon neutrality by 2045 by reducing industrial uses to no net contribution and potentially supporting direct removal of CO2 from the air. California executive order B-55-18 mandates that the state achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 and maintain net negative emissions thereafter. (https://livermorelabfoundation.org/2019/12/19/getting-to-neutral/).

unincorporated area

Kern

Unincorporated

California Air Resources Board (ARB), California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), California Department of Parks and Recreation, California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, California Department of Transportation, District 6 (DOT), California Department of Water Resources (DWR), California Energy Commission, California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES), California Highway Patrol (CHP), California Natural Resources Agency, California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Valley Fresno Region 5 (RWQCB), Central Valley Flood Protection Board, Department of Toxic Substances Control, Office of Historic Preservation, California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Central Region 4 (CDFW), California Department of Conservation (DOC)

California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Central Region 4 (CDFW), California Department of Conservation (DOC)

Other (Carbon Capture and Sequestration)

Rezone, Use Permit

Aesthetics, Agriculture and Forestry Resources, Air Quality, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Cumulative Effects, Drainage/Absorption, Energy, Flood Plain/Flooding, Geology/Soils, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Growth Inducement, Hazards & Hazardous Materials, Hydrology/Water Quality, Land Use/Planning, Mandatory Findings of Significance, Mineral Resources, Noise, Population/Housing, Public Services, Recreation, Schools/Universities, Septic System, Sewer Capacity, Solid Waste, Transportation, Tribal Cultural Resources, Utilities/Service Systems, Vegetation, Wetland/Riparian, Wildfire