The California Resource Corporation (CRC) is investing in local educational institutions to help advance the energy transition and further benefit local communities across the region.
CRC will be donating $2.5 million to Kern Community College District (KCCD) and California State University Bakersfield (CSUB) for carbon management. KCCD will be receiving $1,940,000 and CSUB will be receiving $560,000.
What is Carbon Capture Sequestration (CCS)?
CCS reduces carbon emissions in the atmosphere that will help tackle global warming. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a contributor to air pollution which taps radiation at the ground level. CCS works by separating CO2 from other gasses produced in industrial processes. It is then compressed and injected into the ground through pipes into rocks, coal mines, or oil gas reservoirs for permanent storage.
What will the funding be used for?
This donation will be investing in the education of students to learn about the new innovations. CRC has pledged to be net zero by 2045, and this long-term success will help local communities.
“For Kern CCD, funding will be used to establish the CRC Carbon Management Institute, a first-of-its-kind initiative that will empower local private and public partnerships to lead the way in defining how collaboration between education and industry can positively impact communities. Funding will be used for research and development, community outreach and education, workforce training and education, and carbon management academies that will focus on advancing carbon capture sequestration (CCS) and emerging technologies that will help ensure the long-term success of Kern County students and communities,” said Rich Venn, Senior Director at California Resources Corporation.
CRC is committed to investing in local students to build and provide a sustainable future. These institutes will operate at the intersection of energy, agriculture, and technology.
“For CSUB, funding will be used to develop the CRC Energy Transition Lecture Series on relevant topics and emerging issues related to CCS and technologies that will lead the way to achieving a net zero future. In addition, the CRC Carbon TerraVault Scholarship will be established to help provide students with academic opportunities,” said Venn.
CRC will be forming a joint venture (JV) with Brookfield Renewable to focus on CCS development opportunities. Brookfield operates one of the world’s largest renewable power plants. Brookfield will initially invest $500 million to invest in CCS projects that are approved through the JV.
