
TENASKA PLANS TWO INJECTION WELLS AND SIX MONITORING WELLS IN HANCOCK COUNTY – Hometown News
January 27, 2025
In October, Tenaska, a leading energy company based in Omaha, Nebraska, appeared before the Hancock County Commission to provide a presentation on their process and their plans to construct and operate three CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) wells in Hancock County. The entire project is anticipated to develop, construct and operate 22 CCS well sites across six counties.
According to the company, those well sites will provide economic benefit across the tri-state region and will be a catalyst for growth in the region, generating substantial benefits during both the construction and operational phases.
Letters went out to property owners in Northern Hancock County whose property had the potential to be eligible for well sites.. Informational meetings were held with the public to educate them about the process used and provide information about the company’s plans. Tenaska established an office in Weirton with a representative on site to answer any questions about the process and the project. There is a representative on site at the office each Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to answer any questions about the process or the project.
What do the project plans mean for Hancock County, especially Northern Hancock County where land is more plentiful but primarily used for agriculture? Hometown News communicated with Scott Murray, Tenaska’s project manager for the area. Murray provided us with a project overview.
“Current plans for the Hancock County portion of the Tri-State CCS Hub include up to two injection wells and six monitoring wells. One of the monitoring wells could be drilled in 2025 as a “stratigraphic test well,” which would provide more information about the deep rocks. Landowners have voluntarily agreed to allow the project to use their land in this way,” said Murray.
“Beyond that, we have been in contact with Hancock County residents in proximity to the project, and we will continue to provide information as the progress advances. This communication will be in a variety of ways, including meetings,” according to Murray.
A fact sheet provided by Tenaska, provides the economic impact of the Tri-State CCS Hub on each county’s level. With an estimated three wells, the total output impact is $93.3 million. The number of jobs generated includes those in the construction phase and numbers 184 with a labor income of $22.1 million. The select tax revenue for Hancock County is $7.9 million.
But what is the project timeline, what permits are needed and what impact does the recent decision to remove Federal oversite by the EPA and make the State DEP responsible for regulatory issues?
“A CCS project is complex, and there are a number of permits and approvals needed from various federal, state and local agencies. On our current trajectory, we expect development to continue for the next 2-3 years, followed by several years of construction. Our schedule anticipates an operational project no earlier than 2029,” said Murray.
“The major permit needed for a CCS project is a Class VI permit, which is issued by the U.S. EPA or a state that is granted primacy, such as West Virginia. Our Hancock County permit was submitted last year in coordination with both agencies,,” said Murray.
With West Virginia now having primacy over such projects, does Murray believe that will alter or delay the project?
“West Virginia’s extensive experience in subsurface management and drilling experience makes it qualified to regulate Class VI wells. The state has a robust regulatory framework and a skilled workforce capable of ensuring the safe operation of CCS projects. We will continue to work with them as our application is processed,” Murray responded.
As word gets around about the project, residents of the area have interest in the safety of the CCS technology. Murray provided information on that technology.
“CCS technology stands out as one of the safest, cleanest and most efficient methods to curb carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. It’s been in use since the mid-1990s, and the Class VI permitting process is robust, ensuring the protection of human health, water supplies and other environmental considerations. A comprehensive monitoring system across the project footprint will show the precise location of the injected CO2. And the project will be required to have a detailed emergency response plan.,’ said Murray.
The Tri-State CCS Hub will provide manufacturers, industrial facilities and other businesses in this region with a solution to address environmental regulations and climate mandates. These projects help businesses remain stable regional employers and taxpayers, while also providing economic benefits to the community.
And, who will the customer be who will be utilizing the CCS Hub?
Murray says numerous discussions with various CO2-emitting businesses in the region, from steel refineries and ethanol plants to power generating facilities have been held.
“Additionally, we are seeing the presence of a carbon management solution such as the Tri-State CCS Hub to be attractive to new economic development. More businesses are considering this among their siting criteria for new facilities.,” he added. “We look forward to working with area leaders, landowners and community members to create a CCS project that is safe and an economic asset to the region.
Published on hometownnewswv.com