Biofuels producer Conestoga Energy has completed drilling operations for its first Class VI well designed to store CO2 emissions from its Garden City, Kansas, ethanol plant, the company said May 28.

Located near the Bonanza BioEnergy ethanol plant, the well will store CO2 emissions generated during the ethanol production process more than 1 mile underground. The company said it plans to submit a Class VI well permit application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this summer.

“Once operational, the facility will sequester over 150,000 metric tons of CO2 annually,” Conestoga said in a news release. “Additionally, the project presents opportunities to store CO2 from third-party sources, allowing Conestoga to earn additional carbon credits.”

Focus now turns to data analysis and preparing application materials for the EPA’s Class VI well application process. As part of the process, Conestoga said it will submit detailed geologic, seismic and environmental data to demonstrate the site’s suitability for permanent carbon storage.

“This milestone further advances our mission of being the leading provider of low carbon intensity biofuel and reflects our deep commitment to innovation and sustainability in bioethanol production,” said Conestoga Energy CEO Tom Willis. “Carbon capture and sequestration is a proven solution that allows us to dramatically cut emissions while also expanding our presence in the growing, low carbon fuel markets, both domestically and internationally, unlocking additional financial value.”

The company has been capturing CO2 for more than 15 years, mainly for EOR, and generating corn-based ethanol and cellulosic biofuel renewable identification numbers.

Comments