PORT ANGELES — The state Department of Ecology is collecting public comments regarding a proposed pilot project to use seawater to capture atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Project Macoma plans to pull seawater from Port Angeles Harbor, treat it to make it less acidic, then return the water back into the harbor where it is expected to absorb carbon dioxide from the air.
The two-year project will use a barge and onshore facilities at the Port of Port Angeles’ log yard.
Ecology is only involved with ensuring that the project does not impact water quality in the harbor.
Ebb Carbon, the company piloting the technology, has applied for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System water quality permit to discharge the alkaline water into the harbor.
Ecology is looking for public input regarding the draft discharge permit for the processed ocean water.
Community members may leave comments online at www.tinyurl.com/PDN-Macoma through Aug. 18.
