Health and Safety Risks of Carbon Capture and Storage

Abstract

CARBON CAPTURE AND STORAGE (CCS) IS A TECHnology being developed in an attempt to slow global warming. In theory, CCS would prevent carbon dioxide produced from coal-fired power plants from reaching the atmosphere by capturing and storing it permanently underground. The scale of this proposal is remarkable, requiring the capture of tens of billions of tons of carbon dioxide from thousands of coal and gas power plants throughout the world. Although carbon dioxide has been injected underground to enhance oil recovery from old wells, the use of the technology to permanently store carbon dioxide is still in a demonstration phase. Carbon capture and storage may receive billions of dollars of taxpayer support in pending energy legislation, the American Clean Energy and Security Act passed by the US House of Representatives in June 2009. Despite widespread political support for the technology, important and unanswered questions remain regarding CCS development. What risks to human health and safety are involved? How will CCS projects affect water quality in aquifers? Can CCS at scale really work and can carbon dioxide storage be made permanent? The risks are substantial and to our knowledge have not been considered in the promotion of CCS technology.