Red Trail Energy, a prominent bioethanol plant operator based in North Dakota, is set to make a pioneering move as the first and largest proven production facility in the United States to introduce high-quality, third-party verified carbon dioxide (CO2) removal credits stemming from bioethanol CO2 capture and storage into the voluntary carbon market. These credits will undergo certification through the respected carbon removal standard and registry, Puro.earth, ensuring that they meet essential environmental and carbon accounting criteria.

The CO2 sequestration process at Red Trail Energy's plant in Richardton is a key aspect of this initiative. The CO2 captured from the fermentation process will become available as removal credits, enabling proactive businesses to progress toward their long-term sustainability goals or carbon net-zero targets. An initial offering of these credits is anticipated to be unveiled in the coming weeks. Interested parties will have the opportunity to acquire these credits through a Request for Proposal (RFP) for immediate and future off-take options facilitated by Red Trail Energy's marketing partner, Renewable Products Marketing Group.

Red Trail Energy has made significant strides in pioneering carbon capture and storage technology within the bioenergy sector. The company embarked on this journey in 2022 by capturing an estimated annual output of 180,000 metric tons of CO2 directly from the fermentation process. The sequestered CO2 is then stored in a state-certified Class VI well, located approximately 6,500 feet directly beneath the facility, within the Broom Creek Formation.

Crucially, Red Trail's project is anticipated to receive certification through Puro.earth's Geologically Stored Carbon methodology, substantiating its net-negative status. It will also undergo third-party verification and auditing as part of a comprehensive life cycle analysis. The Puro.earth-issued CO2 Removal Certificates (CORCs) will affirm the project's capacity to sequester carbon for over 1,000 years, thereby meeting the essential environmental criteria of permanence and additionality. In the interest of traceability and transparency, CORCs are documented within the Puro Registry, where their complete lifecycle is meticulously recorded, spanning from issuance to retirement. This commitment to transparency is underscored by the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (IC-VCM) and the International Carbon Reduction and Offsetting Accreditation (ICROA).

Red Trail Energy's successful project launch has been the culmination of years of dedicated development and represents a historic milestone in the ongoing pursuit of a sustainable, carbon-neutral future. By leveraging carbon dioxide removal technology, this initiative provides a proven, immediate solution to address the most severe consequences of climate change. It signifies a significant step toward combating the adverse impacts of climate change and underscores the company's commitment to environmental responsibility.