The California Resources Corporation has taken a significant step forward in creating the state’s first carbon capture and storage site. The groundbreaking ceremony for Carbon TerraVault in Kern County marked a historic day, with several county and community leaders in attendance.

Taft Mayor Dave Noerr expressed pride in the project, stating, “Don’t be afraid to be first. So we embrace opportunity, and that includes the integration of emerging technologies and opportunities. We don’t run from it.”

The site is considered ideal for storing carbon dioxide due to its unique geology from depleted oil reservoirs, with the capacity to store over 30 million tons of energy, according to California Resources Corporation President Francisco Leon and others at Elk Hills Field.

State Sen. Melissa Hurtado reflected on the project’s journey, saying, “I remember years ago when I was first elected to the state senate, I visited this location. There were conversations about this particular project, early in the works, and to see it here six, five years down the line, it’s just amazing to see it come to fruition and be the first in the state of California.”

Carbon Terra Vault is the first site in California to receive proper permits from the Environmental Protection Agency, positioning Kern County as a hub for carbon capture and storage innovation.

Mayor Noerr highlighted the county’s role, stating, “Within Kern County, we provide the cleanest hydrocarbons produced anywhere in the world. But there’s a limit to what you can do. Well, we’re taking that next step. We’re moving the goal post, if you will, and we’ll be able to do an even better job as we use the legacy fuels to power Kern County, and yet, in the end, do it in a cleaner way. This is a critical component.”

The company plans to begin injecting carbon dioxide in early 2026.

Chris Parlier, Kern County District 2 Supervisor, emphasized the economic benefits, saying, “I think it’s jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs and drill, baby drill.”

Staff at the company believe the project will benefit the community for decades to come.