Area residents wanting to learn more about carbon capture and storage are encouraged to attend an informational session next week in Decatur.

Richland Community College is engaged in the Department of Energy's efforts to find alternative uses for carbon dioxide. According to Dr. Douglas Brauer, Vice President of Richland Community College, there are several local companies who are gearing towards better storage methods for carbon dioxide.

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According to Dr. Brauer, central Illinois has three of these types of projects going on. He says ADM was one of initial partners in this pilot. Now Richland CC has come on board and he explains they are now part of an effort to compress the carbon dioxide and store it underground.

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The concept of carbon compression and storage is still an emerging industry. According to Dr. Brauer, conveying to the community the emergence of this technology along with the basics of the industry are a major component to the informational session next week.

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The informational session is July 30-31. It is a two day informational session that includes a tour of ADM and the ways it is being implemented there. Dr. Brauer indicates things take place on the campus at the National Sequestration Educational Center.

For further information, visit nsec.richland.edu.