Minnesota geology not suited to store carbon underground
Legislators heard the highlights of two reports yesterday on the potential to capture greenhouse gases in Minnesota's plants, soils, and rocks.
The Legislature ordered the studies last year when it set ambitious goals to reduce climate-changing gases.
Cheryl Miller coordinated the study that looked at capturing carbon in plants and soils.
She told the Senate Energy Committee the most important thing is to protect forests and especially peat lands, because they're already storing carbon.
She said a warming, drying climate would threaten the ability of peat bogs to do that work.
"And if they would start to re-emit CO2 we would be in a world of hurt, we would have to really figure out where we were going to cut other places," Miller said.
The other report said Minnesota's geology is not appropriate for storing carbon dioxide underground.
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