Farmers, Open houses, and Technical Knowledge: Public Outreach in Aquistore

Abstract

As an independent research and monitoring project, Aquistore intends to demonstrate that storing liquid carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) deep underground (in a brine and sandstone water formation), is a safe, workable solution to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs). Aquistore is Canada's first dedicated CO 2 storage project, and is an integral component of SaskPower's Boundary Dam Integrated Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Demonstration project. In collaboration with SaskPower, Aquistore will be the first integrated project globally to demonstrate deep saline CO 2 capture, transport, and storage on a commercial scale from a coal fired power plant. CO 2 will be captured at unit 3 of the Boundary Dam power-station (BD3), transported via underground pipeline to the Aquistore site, and injected to a depth of 3.4 km. Strategic outreach and engagement are necessary for ensuring CCS projects have support. Even where CCS awareness is high, many CCS projects – successful and failed – have received negative attention. Aquistore's communications program was designed with best practices in mind and a focus on public engagement and education [1] , [2] . An integral part of Aquistore's public outreach program was the hosting of community open houses. In April 2012, the project hosted its first open house. Staffed by project members and researchers, this open house was a large-scale effort to engage with the local community. Over 75 interested citizens and local dignitaries attended this event and learned about the project. Following this initial outreach, a broader program of public engagement began.