Who We Are
The Midwest Regional Carbon Initiative (MRCI) is a broad coalition of partners from research, academia, industry, NGOs, and the US government dedicated to the study, acceleration, acceptance, and deployment of carbon capture, utilization, and storage in the Midwest, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The MRCI was borne out of over 20 years of experience executing carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) research and projects in the American Midwest and combines the expertise of two Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnerships (RCSPs) – the Midwest Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership (MRCSP) led by Battelle and the Midwest Geologic Sequestration Consortium (MGSC) led by the Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS).
Comprised of team members from multiple state geological surveys, academic institutions, and industry, the initiative works to connect science, technology, and research to advance the field of CCUS in its 20-state region. The program is led by co-Principal Investigators, Dr. Neeraj Gupta from Battelle and Chris Korose from the Illinois State Geological Survey. Chris Korose took over for Dr. Sallie Greenberg, who, in May of 2023, retired after 30 years of providing research, guidance, and leadership on a host of groundbreaking carbon capture and storage projects through the Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS).
Dr. Gupta, a Senior Research Leader with 25 years of experience in CCUS, including leadership of the MRCSP, provides technical and program development leadership for Battelle’s carbon management and subsurface exploration work.
ISGS Associate Geologist Chris Korose (Coal, Bedrock Geology & Industrial Minerals Section) has over 27 years of experience at the ISGS, and he has been directly involved with project management, research and service in numerous areas, and providing geological data and technical information to the public and industry. Chris brings to the MRCI a strong history of working with the DOE-NETL on the MGSC, Sequestration Atlas, and NATCARB efforts.
The MRCI project study area includes states from the Midwest to east coast, as far south as Kentucky and as far north as Maine, covering more than one-third of the nation’s CO2 point source emissions, accounting for 945 million metric tons of CO2. The geology of the region is diverse, covering multiple storage complexes including the Michigan Basin, Illinois Basin, Appalachian Basin, Atlantic Coast, and Off-shore. The region hosts more than a dozen pilot and/or full-scale CCUS projects, which provide a solid foundation for future work.
The primary funding for the MRCI program is from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) under DOE project number DE-FE 0031836 with Mr. William Aljoe as the DOE project manager.
Sponsors
U.S. Department of Energy
(US DOE)
US DOE ensures America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions.
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National Energy and Technology Laboratory
(US DOE NETL)
US DOE NETL is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory that produces technological solutions to America’s energy challenges. For more than 100 years, the Laboratory has advanced technology to provide clean, reliable, and affordable energy to the American people.
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Research Team
Battelle
(Battelle)
Battelle is private nonprofit applied science and technology development company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Battelle commits to solving the world’s most pressing issues with groundbreaking science and technology, and focuses on giving back to the communities where they live and work.
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Illinois State Geological Survey
(ISGS)
ISGS is a premeire state geological survey with over 200 Scientists and technical support staff serving the needs of Illinois with earth science information relevant to the State's environmental quality, economic vitality, and public safety.
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Indiana Geological and Water Survey
(IGWS)
State geologic and water survey that assists the public and private sectors by providing technical information on mineral and energy resources, reducing environmental risks to the land, water, and air of the state, assisting in the reclamation land that has been mined, and identifying areas susceptible to natural geologic hazards.
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Rutgers University
(Rutgers)
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, stands among America’s highest-ranked, most diverse public research universities.
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Kentucky Geological Survey
(KGS)
Started in 1838 and part of the University of Kentucky since 1948, the Kentucky Geological Survey conducts research and provides unbiased information about the geology and natural resources of Kentucky.
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Maryland Geological Survey
MDGS
Created in 1896, the Maryland Geological Survey is responsible for investigating the geologic and water resources of Maryland through geologic mapping, examination and monitoring of water resources, environmental geology, mineral resources, and coastal and estuarine geology.
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Ohio Division of Natural Resources
(ODNR/OGS)
The ODNR Division of Geological Survey is one of Ohio's natural resources agenies, established in 1837 to provide geologic information and services needed for responsible management of Ohio's natural resources.
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Pennsylvania Geological Survey
(DCNR/PAGS)
Since 1836, the Pennsylvania Geological Survey has been serving the commonwealth as a science-based research organization that collects, preserves, and uses data in support of objective interpretations about Pennsylvania’s geologic resources.
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Western Michigan University
(WMU)
Western Michigan University (WMU) hosts the Michigan Geological Survey (MGS) and the Michigan Geological Repository for Research and Education (MGRRE) tha facilitates research to promote the wise use of natural resources while serving the general public through quality research, invaluable expertise and a historic data repository.
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West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey
(WVGES)
The West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey (WVGES) conducts long-term and project-specific, independent and unbiased analysis of the geology of the state and provides scientific expertise, information, and education to all of West Virginia's stakeholders regarding the coal, natural gas, petroleum, non-fuel resources, environmental concerns, karst, and geologic hazards of the state.
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Iowa Geologic Survey
(IGS)
The Iowa geological survey collects, reposits, and interprets geologic and hydrogeologic data, to conduct foundational research, and provide Iowans with the knowledge needed to effectively manage our natural resources for long-term sustainability and economic development.
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Los Alamos National Laboratory
(LANL)
Los Alamos National Laboratory delivers science and technology to protect our nation and promote world stability.
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Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
(PNNL)
PNNL has distinctive strengths in chemistry, earth sciences, and data analytics are the heart of our science mission, laying a foundation for innovations that improve America’s energy resiliency and enhance our national security.
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Core Energy LLC
(Core Energy)
Core Energy, LLC is actively involved in using innovative oil and gas exploration and production technologies in Michigan and is the only company in the Midwest performing CO2 Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) operations.
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CornerPost CO2, LLC
(Cornerpost)
CornerPost CO2, LLC provides carbon capture solutions for industrial sources and enhanced recovery projects based on fundamental economics and unparalleled expertise.
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Industrial Economics, Inc
IEc
Industrial Economics, Inc. supports natural resource managers, regulators, attorneys, and other decision makers involved in public policy development and implementation, and corporate management.
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Industry Partners
Archer Daniels Midland Company
(ADM)
ADM is an American multinational food processing and commodities trading corporation. At ADM, they unlock the power of nature to provide access to nutrition worldwide.
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American Electric Power
(AEP)
As one of the largest electric energy companies in the U.S., AEP powers millions of homes with a mission to redefine the future of energy and develop innovative solutions that power communities and improve lives.
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British Petroleum
(BP)
One of the largest oil and gas companies in the world, BP's mission is to reimagine energy for people and the planet by helping the world reach net zero and improve people’s lives. Visit Website
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Babcock and Wilcox
B&W
Established in 1867, Babcock & Wilcox is a global leader in energy and environmental technologies and services for the power and industrial markets, with operations, subsidiaries and joint ventures worldwide.
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Consol
(Consol)
CONSOL Energy, one of the leading energy companies in the United States of America, has powered the nation with affordable, abundant, reliable domestic energy and maintains a strong record on safety and environmental stewardship.
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Consumers Energy
(Consumers)
Consumers Energy's passion is to make life better for the people of Michigan by providing safe and reliable energy, increasing the use of clean and renewable energy, and helping the business community grow.
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DTE Energy
(DTE)
DTE Energy's aspiration is to be the best-operated energy company in North America and a force for growth and prosperity in the communities where we live and serve.
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Exxon Mobile
(Exxon)
ExxonMobil, one of the world’s largest publicly traded energy providers and chemical manufacturers, develops and applies next-generation technologies to help safely and responsibly meet the world’s growing needs for energy and high-quality chemical products.
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GeoPetro, LLC
(GeoPetro)
Geopetro is a privately owned oil and gas company that acquires, drills, and operates oil and natural gas producing properties in Ohio and Pennsylvania. They provide geological consulting, field surveys, evaluation of production, well operation, and management services.
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Honda
(Honda)
Maintaining a global viewpoint, Honda is dedicated to supplying products of the highest quality, yet at a reasonable price for worldwide customer satisfaction.
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National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
(NRECA)
NRECA electrified rural America 75 years ago. Now they will electrify vehicles and homes and water heaters and provide a path toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.
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Peabody Energy
(Peabody)
BP's mission is to reimagine energy for people and the planet by helping the world reach net zero and improve people’s lives.
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Southern Company Services, Inc.
(Southern)
Southern Company provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy through electric operating and natural gas distribution companies, a competitive generation company, and a leading distributed energy infrastructure company
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Prairie State Generating Company
(PSGC)
Prairie State Generating Company is the operating company of the Prairie State Energy Campus with a mission to provide value to their owners and the millions of families they serve through the safe and sustainable production of electric power.
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Total Group
(Total)
Total is a major energy player, which produces and markets fuels, natural gas and low-carbon electricity. They are committed to better energy that is safer, more affordable, cleaner and accessible to as many people as possible.
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Wabash Valley Resources
(WVR)
Wabash Valley Resources owns and operates the Wabash IGCC plant known for it's world renowned state-of-the-art industrial technology implemented in Terre Haute, Indiana.
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Academic Partners
Nebraska Geological Survey
(NGS)
The Nebraska Geological Survey is part of the Conservation and Survey Division (CSD) of the School of Natural Resources (SNR) at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. The Division's geologists conduct globally relevant geologic research.
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University of Houston’s Center for Carbon Management in Energy
(UH-CCME)
Carbon management is central to UH-CCME's mission and vision and they aspire to be a world leading center for education, research and marketplace solutions.
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University of Wisconsin
(UW)
The University of Wisconsin's aims to develop human resources, to discover and disseminate knowledge, to extend knowledge and its application beyond its campuses, and to serve and stimulate society by developing its students
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Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey
(WGNHS)
WGNHS is an interdisciplinary organization that conducts natural resources surveys and research to produce information used for decision making, problem solving, planning, management, development, and education
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Central Michigan University
(CMU)
Central Michigan University is a nationally ranked institution that fosters the transformative power of advanced learning while embracing a sense of community among our students, faculty, staff and more than 235,000 alumni around the world.
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Deleware Geologic Survey
(DGS)
The Delaware Geological Survey (DGS) is a science-based, public-service-driven state agency at the University of Delaware that conducts geologic and hydrologic research, service, and exploration for the benefit of the citizens of its citizens.
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Massachusetts Geological Survey
(MGS)
The Massachusetts Geological Survey performs, collects, interprets, and dessiminates research on the land, mineral, and water resources of the state.
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(MIT)
MIT’s primary purposes are teaching and research with relevance to the practical world and transforming society for the better. To that end, they seek the best possible community of scholars (and humans) who will contribute to MIT and the world.
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NGO Partners
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
(C2ES)
C2ES is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization working to forge practical solutions to climate change. Their mission is to advance policy and action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote clean energy, and build resilience to climate impacts.
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Clean Air Task Force
(CATF)
CATF is a 22 year old organization with problem solvers and creative environmentalists who achieve change using technology advocacy, policy advocacy, and thought leadership to get to a zero-emissions, high-energy planet at an affordable cost.
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ClearPath
(ClearPath)
ClearPAth is an entrepreneurial, strategic nonprofit with a mission to develop and advance conservative policies to accelerate clean energy innovation. They develop cutting-edge policy and collaborate with academics and industry.
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CO2GeoNet
(CO2GeoNet)
CO2GeoNet, a not-for-profile scientific association, is the European body on CCS. Currently, CO2GeoNet comprises of 28 research institutes from 20 European countries, and over 300 multidisciplinary researchers to address all aspects of CCS
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Environmental Defense Fund
(EDF)
EDF is one of the world’s leading environmental organizations with a mission to preserve the natural systems on which all life depends.
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Enabling Onshore CO2 Storage in Europe
(ENOS)
The ENOS project's main goal is to develop and demonstrate, under real conditions, key technologies for underground CO2 storage at onshore sites.
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Japan CCS co., Ltd.
(JCCS)
JCCS was established in 2008 as a company to help implement investigations, research and development, feasibility studies and demonstration projects pertaining to CCUS and transportation technologies.
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