California carbon capture project faces lawsuit from locals over health and safety concerns
sfgate.comA new carbon capture and storage facility in Kern County's Elk Hills oil field is now operational, but local and environmental groups have filed a lawsuit against the county. The project, called Carbon TerraVault 1, aims to inject millions of tons of carbon dioxide deep underground. Opponents argue the county did not properly assess risks like well leaks, air pollution, and earthquake hazards in a region with thousands of old oil wells. The facility is California's first of its kind and could become a model for other projects across the state. Supporters say the technology is safe and could cut state emissions by up to 15%. The lawsuit may set a precedent for how future carbon capture projects are approved and regulated in California.