County Plan Commissioner considers ban on carbon sequestration Thursday evening

Nicholas Witwer, the new Marshall County Plan Director, explained to GIANT fm WTCA a proposal the County Plan Commission will consider tonight, placing a ban within the county pertaining to the filing, processing, and review of future or existing applications related to carbon sequestration. 

The ordinance up for consideration bans the practice of pumping carbon dioxide gas, typically captured from emissions, into the ground to be contained in rock layers, caverns, and porous rock types.

 The ordinance also prevents the transportation of carbon dioxide gas from being transported through the county by pipeline, rail, or truck. 

Witwer said the plan commission requested that he draft an ordinance to ban the practice.  He told GIANT fm WTCA, “It’s unproven technology, inconsistent results around the world, and caused environmental damage as well as death among humans, so there is reason for the county to restrict this practice to protect our natural resources and residents.”

The plan director said banning carbon sequestration gives Marshall County time to carefully consider any requests for projects that may want to locate here and provide time to focus on creating responsible ordinances for more likely project requests, such as solar, battery storage facilities, and data centers.  Witmer went on to say, “While there is a moratorium on these projects, our zoning code(s) need to be prepared for future requests.”

The Marshall County Plan Commission meets tonight at 7 p.m. in the second-floor meeting room of the County Building.  The meeting will be streamed live on the county’s YouTube channel.