Project Overview
The Columbia River Basalt Technical Assistance Program (CaRBTAP) is a collaborative initiative designed to provide objective, science-based technical assistance to key stakeholders involved in carbon storage projects within the Columbia River Basalt (CRB) region. Led by Carbon Solutions LLC, alongside key partners including the Carbon Containment Lab, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory, Washington Geological Survey, and the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, the project seeks to accelerate the equitable and environmentally responsible deployment of carbon management technologies in the Pacific Northwest. Over the course of three years, CaRBTAP will lay the foundation for a robust carbon management industry in the region by addressing major scientific, economic, and policy-related challenges that impact large-scale CO₂ storage in basalt formations.
Purpose and Key Objectives
The primary focus of CaRBTAP is to evaluate and support the viability of Columbia River Basalt formations for commercial-scale carbon storage, leveraging existing research that suggests injected CO₂ in basalt formations mineralizes faster than in conventional sedimentary basins, potentially reducing long-term storage risks. Additionally, the project will explore pathways for deep decarbonization, helping industries in the Pacific Northwest—where point-source emissions are limited—find viable solutions for carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). CaRBTAP will also support policy development, aligning with the region’s aggressive carbon reduction frameworks, such as cap-and-trade policies, to encourage long-term investment and commercialization of CCS technologies.
Community Impact and Future Development
CaRBTAP recognizes the importance of regional environmental stewardship and stakeholder engagement, particularly among sovereign Tribal Nations and environmental advocacy groups. The project will actively collaborate with these communities to ensure carbon management aligns with sustainability goals, enabling the complete decarbonization of regional industries while facilitating the deployment of carbon-negative technologies like direct air capture (DAC). By addressing key challenges unique to the CRB, CaRBTAP aims to unlock the untapped potential of the region for CO₂ storage, paving the way for a carbon-negative Pacific Northwest and setting a national precedent for basalt-based CCS solutions.
