Carbon capture not slated for Osage Reservation – just yet
CapturePoint, one of the leading companies in carbon sequestration technology, has withdrawn their Class VI permit from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for Osage County
An underground carbon storage hub slated for Osage County in the Burbank Field is currently on hold. CapturePoint, the company charged with building it, withdrew its Class VI permit from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Jan. 8, citing further assessment was needed to study the site.
Carbon capture, or carbon sequestration, is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) underground in suitable geological formations. It is one method of reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere with the goal of reducing global climate change. CO2 is the most commonly produced greenhouse gas.
“We are withdrawing our permit application so that we may complete a full review and reassessment of all aspects of our current Class VI siting plans,” the company said in a statement.
“We continue to believe that a deep underground carbon storage hub will serve vital economic needs in Northeast Oklahoma and the surrounding regions, and CapturePoint intends to use the withdrawal as an opportunity to reevaluate and reshape the best pathway forward for our Osage County plans.”
CapturePoint, along with the University of Oklahoma and the Los Alamos National Laboratory, received an $18.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to study possible sites for CO2 storage in Osage and Kay Counties. The project is called the Oklahoma Carbon Hub. If built, the hub would have the ability to contain 54 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, according to figures from the University of Oklahoma. For reference, the average car in the U.S. will produce one metric ton of CO2 over three months.
The University of Oklahoma says there are three committed customers if the hub is built: CVR Fertilizer Plant near Coffeyville, Kans., the Azure Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production Facility near Cherryvale, Kans., and the Heimdal Direct Air Capture Units on the Osage Reservation.
This proposed facility is different from Project Bantam, which was launched by Heimdal and CapturePoint last summer in Shidler. According to Heimdal, that facility, a direct air capture facility, will remove more than 5,000 tons of CO2 per year. Direct Air Capture actively removes carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere and stores it underground.
CapturePoint continues to operate a CO2-enhanced oil recovery unit in Osage County.
CapturePoint did drill what’s known as a stratigraphic test well on the site as part of a technical review phase, but officials with the company say they have only performed assessments and geological surveys.
“We can’t start until a permit is issued,” said Mike Morrill, who is part of the communications team for CapturePoint.
CapturePoint says they need to understand the geology better and then will resubmit the grant once the study is done – which could take 2-3 years.
“It doesn’t mean we’re stopping it,” said Tracy Evans, the CEO of CapturePoint. Evans said the data they have about the Arbuckle Group – which is the rock layer within the Osage Mineral Estate primarily made of limestone and dolomite – is not enough to move forward. The Arbuckle Group, according to research by the University of Oklahoma, has high porosity, and the rock formations above have low porosity and permeability and would act as a seal to keep the stored CO2 in the Arbuckle Group.
CapturePoint is also hoping to get more people willing to get more contractors to commit their CO2 to the site.
Pore Space
Last year, the Osage Nation Congress took up a bill addressing the issue of pore space – which is where the CO2 will be injected. The bill, ONCA 25-21 (sponsored by Congresswoman Maria Whitehorn) defines pore space as part of the Osage Mineral Estate, despite an Oklahoma statute saying it is owned by surface owners.
Evans said the legislation did not factor into CapturePoint’s decision to withdraw their permit.
“There are still, I think, things to be decided in terms of who actually truly owns the pore space,” said Evans. He said they have been working with the Osage Minerals Council and the Osage Nation.
CapturePoint says they did write the Osage Minerals Council into the grant, and they will have access to the information generated from the study.
Morrill said the OMC will receive funding to hire an independent expert to evaluate the information.
President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for the Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum, the former governor of North Dakota is a big proponent of carbon capture. However, a 2019 study from Stanford University is skeptical that it does enough to reduce emissions and instead increases air pollution.
Cherokee Nation receives federal grant to boost EV charging network
The Cherokee Nation has received a $10.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to install electric vehicle chargers across its reservation.
By Katie Hallum (ᏧᏟ), KOSU
The money is part of President Biden’s initiative to increase the spread of EV stations across the U.S., along with his Justice 40 initiative to assist disadvantaged communities through clean energy federal investments.
The money will be used to install 112 electronic vehicle chargers in 12 separate locations across the Cherokee Nation reservation. Proposed sites include Ochelata, Jay, South Coffeyville, Nowata, Tahlequah, Stilwell, Grove, Salina, Vinita and Tulsa.
The chargers will join the tribe’s pool of already established stations within the tribe to ensure that every part of the land is within 25 miles of charging infrastructure.
According to Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., the ultimate goal is to reduce emissions from the reservation.
“Our goal at the Cherokee Nation is to reduce our carbon footprint by 25 percent by 2027, and we continue to make these strides,” he said in a press release. “This latest federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation will help us continue to add even more electric vehicle charging stations across the Cherokee Nation Reservation as more consumers purchase electric vehicles and need places to charge.”
The tribe is the only recipient of the funds from Oklahoma and has plans to contract Tulsa company Francis Energy to execute the project.
Comanche Nation Casino’s General Manager Shandi Tahhahwah Leads Company to First Ever Top Casino Recognition
LAWTON, Okla., — Comanche Nation Casino reported a record year in 2024, expanding its gaming offerings and earning first-time recognition as a top casino. Under the leadership of General Manager Shandi Tahhahwah, the property was honored as the No. 1 Casino in Oklahoma and reintroduced live Blackjack tables.
“Shandi’s commitment to creating an inclusive, family-oriented environment has not only driven the casino’s operational success but has also strengthened its ties to the local community,” said Doyle. “With her forward-thinking leadership, Comanche Nation Casino continues to thrive as a destination for entertainment and cultural celebration.”
A member of the Comanche Tribe, Tahhahwah has been a part of Comanche Nation Entertainment since 2007, with experience across three Comanche Nation Entertainment properties.
Shandi started her career as a Cage Cashier and advanced to roles such as Supervisor and Internal Auditor and contributed to the creation of Tribal Internal Control Standards (TICS). In 2022, she opened Comanche Cache Casino as General Manager, leading to her current role as General Manager of Comanche Nation Casino.
“Shandi’s work ethic and dedication exemplifies our core values and mission,” said Steven Doyle, CEO of Comanche Nation Entertainment. “Her consistency has built a unique atmosphere rich in history and culture throughout her career at Comanche Nation Entertainment.”
Comanche Nation Casino, one of six Comanche Nation Entertainment properties, is located in Lawton and features over 800 games. Beyond gaming, the casino is involved in community initiatives. From school supply drives to food and toy donations, the casino supports local schools, hospitals, and community members year-round.
To learn more about Comanche Nation Casino, https://www.comanchenationcasino.com/
Choctaw Cultural Center to begin 2025 family movie nights
DURANT, Oklahoma – Movie nights at the Choctaw Cultural Center were a big hit last year, and the 2025 schedule of "Cinema at the Center" is filling up fast. The shows are family-friendly, and admission is free and open to the public.
Screenings will take place on the third Friday of each month through August in the 200-seat Kowi Chito Theater (Big Forest Theater) of the Choctaw Cultural Center, 1919 Hina Hanta Way in Durant. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the show starting at 7 p.m.
Popcorn, soft drinks, hot dogs and other concessions will be available for purchase in the Champuli Café.
The season leads off with four classic episodes of the suspenseful television series “The Twilight Zone” on Jan 17.
The remainder of the calendar so far includes:
- “Disney’s Frozen,” Feb. 21
- “Goonies,” March 21
- “Wall-E,” April 18
- “Star Wars: A New Hope,” May 16
- “The Sandlot,” July 18
For schedule updates, visit https://chocta.ws/cinema.
