Cleaner ethanol, Greener economy

Yuma and Sterling Ethanol Carbon Capture and Storage Projects

The Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects at the Yuma Ethanol and Sterling Ethanol plants would capture and store 95 percent of annual carbon dioxide emissions during the fermentation process before it can be released into the atmosphere.

The two plants use fermented corn to produce ethanol — a renewable fuel made from plants to oxygenate gasoline and reduce air pollution.

Captured CO₂ will be transported via underground pipeline to a permanent geologic storage site.

Drilling for a geologic sampling well to scientifically validate a proposed underground storage site on state lands about 10 miles southwest of the Yuma plant was completed in May 2023.

The 25-day drilling operation collected three primary forms of data – well logs, core samples and fluid samples – which are analyzed by independent laboratories to determine if the CO₂ injection site meets EPA standards.

Carbon America is one of 13 companies in the U.S. to drill a geologic sampling well to scientifically validate a proposed underground CO₂ storage site. Watch the video to learn about the data collected to determine if the CO₂ injection site meets EPA standards for a Class VI well.

Carbon America will finance, build, own and operate the CCS system, and monitor the geologic storage site, over 4,000 feet underground, using advanced seismic, air and water monitoring technology.



“The Yuma and Sterling Ethanol carbon capture projects are helping the environment, helping the cattle industry, helping the farmers in northeast Colorado by having new source for low-carbon grain. It's a win-win for everybody involved.”

— Dave Kramer, general manager, Sterling and Yuma Ethanol Plants

Project Location:
3 miles east of Yuma city center

The first phase of the Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project starts at the Yuma Ethanol Plant about 3 miles east from the city center of Yuma, Colorado.

The captured CO₂ will be transported via an underground distribution pipeline to an injection well at the sequestration site, which will be determined through geological testing based on EPA regulations.

Several locations are being explored. Drilling for a geologic sampling well to scientifically validate a proposed geologic storage site on state lands about 10 miles southwest of the Yuma plant was completed in May 2023.

The CO₂ will be permanently stored in a geologic formation over 4,000 feet underground and continually monitored based on EPA guidelines.


350,000 tons of CO₂ removed annually

The Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects at the Yuma and Sterling Ethanol plants would permanently remove 350,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to taking 70,000 passenger vehicles off the road.

The CCS project will enable the two facilities to reduce the carbon intensity of ethanol production, and increase their competitiveness in the market, while improving local air quality.

350,000 tons of CO2 captured annually before reaching atmosphere

Equivalent to taking 70,000 passenger vehicles off the road.

Project Timeline: Operational in 2025
The project could be commercially operational in 2025, based on current work schedules, which include allowances for landowner agreements, regulatory permitting and construction. Next steps include:

  • Finalizing the CCS system’s design-build requirements.

  • Obtaining landowner lease agreements for the underground pipeline route and CO₂ underground geologic storage.

  • Completing environmental studies and regulatory permitting required for the project.

  • Drilling a geological sampling well, which is used to confirm the location for safely securing CO₂ over 4,000 feet underground.

Growing Colorado’s Agriculture Industry
The project will open new economic opportunities for the ethanol and agricultural industries that contribute millions of dollars to Colorado’s economy.

The carbon capture and storage project also benefits local corn growers who sell into the two northeast Colorado plants, which combined purchase 36 million bushels of field corn annually. Low-carbon ethanol provides cleaner air and saves drivers up to $0.10 per gallon.

Yuma Ethanol Plant annual production

18 million
bushels of corn

60 million
gallons of ethanol

410,000 tons
of wet distiller’s grain

Generating $250 million in local economic activity

Millions of dollars in economic activity during construction

During construction, local businesses will experience an increase in demand for products and services, including hotels, fuel, food and miscellaneous materials.

If you’re interested in becoming a supplier or vendor, email us at info@carbonamerica.com.

Yuma Ethanol Project FAQS

  • The Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects at the Yuma Ethanol production facilities in northeastern will capture and store 95 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions from the fermentation process per year from each production facility.

  • The projects will reduce the carbon intensity of ethanol production at the Yuma Ethanol, opening new markets including Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) and Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

  • Carbon America expects the projects could be fully operational in 2025.

  • The projects will permanently sequester CO₂ emissions that would otherwise be legally emitted into the atmosphere.

    By increasing the local ethanol industry’s competitiveness, the projects support regional corn farming and cattle operations, spurring economic development while significantly reducing environmental impact.

  • The geologic storage site is rigorously designed to comply with Federal Class VI and California Air Resource Board Low Carbon Fuel Standard permanency requirements. Carbon America is working closely with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and multiple Colorado regulatory agencies to ensure the project meets all environmental regulations. The storage formation will be continuously monitored during operations.

  • Carbon America is designing the CSS system with proven, commercially available technology. There are several commercially proven vendors for capture systems. Carbon America engineers are carefully selecting the most appropriate system for the project.

  • The projects will capture more than 95% of the CO₂ produced by the plants’ fermentation processes, which estimated to be 175,000 metric tons annually for each plant.

  • The Carbon America team is currently conducting engineering, geology and environmental studies to design the CCS system. The project’s first geologic sampling well, which is used to scientifically validate the location for CO₂ sequestration over 4,000 feet underground, is expected to be drilled in April 2023.

  • Geologic sequestration of CO₂ has been safely practiced for over 50 years in the oil and gas industry, for instance in the Permian Basin in Texas. Using geology to trap CO₂ underground replicates a process that has been naturally occurring for millions of years. The Department of Energy’s CarbonSAFE Program is awarding over $2 billion in funding to accelerate the development of geologic storage projects.

CPR segment on Carbon America
Ethanol plants around the country are among the first facilities to test carbon capture and storage at a larger scale. Climate researchers say the process is a necessary tool to reduce planet-warming emissions. Read the article.

9News Denver segment on Carbon America
CEO Brent Lewis explains why Colorado’s ethanol industry is a good candidate for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), which removes CO₂ emissions from industrial processes and permanently traps it in geological formations deep underground.

Project Technology:
Over 50 years of safe operations in the U.S.

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a proven technology to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from industrial processes and permanently trap it in geological formations deep underground.