A regional watershed management authority in Alabama has passed a resolution backing proposed legislation that would block a planned CO2 injection and storage project in Covington County, adding to growing local opposition to the development.
The Choctawhatchee, Pea, and Yellow River Watershed Management Authority voted to support legislation sponsored by State Senator Josh Carnley and State Representative Matthew Hammett that would prohibit Reliant’s proposed CO2 injection and storage site from moving forward in the county. The authority was established by state law in 1991 to protect and manage Alabama’s watershed systems.
Local officials said the resolution reflects concern among residents about the long-term environmental implications of underground CO2 storage, particularly in a region reliant on clean and secure water resources.
Concerns over long-term environmental risks
Glen Zorn, the at-large director representing Covington County on the authority’s board, said uncertainty around the project’s potential impacts played a central role in the decision.
According to Zorn, the authority’s position is not a blanket opposition to carbon capture infrastructure, but rather support for legislation aimed at addressing unanswered questions about environmental safety. He noted that long-term effects on groundwater and surrounding ecosystems remain unclear and warrant caution.
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Representative Hammett has already prefiled the bill ahead of the upcoming legislative session, with Senator Carnley expected to carry the measure in the Senate should it pass the House. The proposed legislation would prevent Reliant from developing a CO2 injection and storage site within Covington County.
The move underscores the broader challenges facing carbon storage projects across the US, where public acceptance, regulatory clarity and local environmental concerns continue to shape the pace and geography of deployment.
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