Alaska Railbelt Carbon Capture and Storage (ARCCS)

The Alaska Railbelt Carbon Capture and Storage (ARCCS) project is a feasibility study focused on developing commercial-scale carbon dioxide storage in the northwestern Cook Inlet region of Alaska. The initiative is centered on evaluating the depleted Beluga River natural gas reservoir and adjacent deep saline aquifers as potential sites capable of safely and permanently storing at least 50 million metric tons of CO₂. By doing so, ARCCS aims to create the foundation for future carbon capture projects that would reduce emissions from existing and proposed power plants while strengthening energy security across the Railbelt, which stretches from Homer to Fairbanks. The study includes geological fieldwork, subsurface modeling, pipeline concept design, and risk analysis, with the goal of ensuring storage is both technically viable and economically sustainable. The project is led by the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Institute of Northern Engineering, working alongside a wide range of technical, government, and community partners. Collaborators include the Energy & Environmental Research Center at the University of North Dakota, Advanced Resources International, Explor Geoscience USA, and Belowich Coal Consulting. State agencies such as the Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys and the Division of Oil & Gas provide critical geoscience and regulatory expertise. Community and stakeholder engagement is supported by organizations like Friends of West Susitna, Blueprint Alaska, and the Terra Energy Center, ensuring that local input and workforce development are integrated into project planning. Together, these partners are working to determine whether south-central Alaska can host a reliable, large-scale carbon storage complex that delivers both environmental and economic benefits.