What is CCS?
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Carbon dioxide capture and storage is a process for reducing greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere by first extracting CO2 from gas streams, typically emitted during industrial process such as electrical production. Once captured and compressed the CO2 is transported by pipeline or tanker to an underground storage site where it will be safely stored for the long term.
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How much CO2 does NS emit in one year compared to other parts of Canada?
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Nova Scotia emits approximately 20 million tons of CO2 annually. See attached chart for GHG emissions by province.
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How does CO2 affect the climate?
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Based on current global warming trends caused by CO2 emissions, it is expected that the earth will continue to rise in temperature to levels not seen in recorded human history. The effects of this may be felt in overall sea levels from landlocked ice melting, drought, changing weather patterns etc.
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What would happen if we did nothing?
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The overall effect on human evolution is not known, however most are in agreement that doing nothing is not an option based on potential consequences.
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When should we do this?
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The long term effects on the earth from CO2 emissions are still not yet known, however based on current global warming trend models the time for action is now.
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Where will the CO2 be captured?
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The CO2 will be captured at a stationary source such as an electrical generating facility. Which facility in Nova Scotia is yet to be determined.
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Where will the CO2 be stored and how do we get it there?
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Underground storage of CO2 has taken place worldwide for many years in active oilfields as part of enhanced oil recovery procedures. Other storage options, both onshore and offshore, typically include coal beds, depleted oil and gas reservoirs and deep saline aquifers.
Work to develop these options is ongoing in many parts of the world. Transportation to the storage site in liquid compression from the point of capture may be in the form of pipeline or truck.
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