Advancing carbon storage in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia

The Tri-State Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Hub is evaluating underground carbon dioxide (CO₂) storage options for industrial facilities in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Led by the Southern States Energy Board, the project brings together industry and research partners to assess geologic conditions and support the development of a regional storage hub.

Selected through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Carbon Storage Assurance Facility Enterprise (CarbonSAFE) Phase III program, the project focuses on site characterization and permitting. Within 50 miles of the proposed project site, 131 industrial facilities report nearly 47 million metric tons of annual CO₂ emissions, representing a substantial potential customer base for future storage services.

Evaluating Underground Storage

The project will investigate four deep geologic storage systems, evaluating both the rock formations that could hold CO₂ and the overlying layers that would help keep it contained. Seismic surveys and three characterization wells will provide data to assess storage suitability and support Underground Injection Control (UIC) Class VI permit applications.

Project Progress & Next Steps

The team has prepared an Environmental Information Volume and received categorical exclusions for seismic surveys and stratigraphic test well activities. Storage operations, financial, and commercialization plans have also been developed and will be updated as field data becomes available.

Planned fieldwork includes two-dimensional seismic surveys crossing all three states and drilling and testing three characterization wells. The first two wells are expected to be drilled during the second and third quarters of 2027. Findings will supplement pending Class VI permit applications covering more than 30 proposed injection wells across six counties.

Supporting Regional Development

Outreach with state agencies and stakeholders is helping guide project planning and reduce drilling risks. The effort also seeks to strengthen coordination across state lines and supports Tenaska’s broader Tri-State Energy Hub.

Project Partners

The Southern States Energy Board leads the project in partnership with Tenaska Sequestration Services (site host), Projeo Corporation, Ohio State University, the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey, and West Virginia University.