Opposition Grows Against Controversial Carbon Injection Project in Montezuma Wetlands

A coalition of organizations, known as CACTI, rallied against the proposed Montezuma LLC carbon hub, which includes a 45-mile carbon pipeline near sensitive wetlands in Solano County. They argue the project poses risks to both human health and wildlife while failing to address climate change. Despite the application submitted in January 2025 being deemed incomplete by both the federal EPA and local authorities, discussions continue. Speakers at the rally expressed strong opposition, calling for local officials to reject the project altogether.

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Published Sep 17, 2025

CARBON CAPTURE HYDROGEN

This week, a coalition of organizations rallied at the Solano County administration building to voice their strong opposition to the proposed Montezuma LLC carbon hub. Known as CACTI—Communities Against Carbon Transport and Injection—the coalition asserts that the 45-mile carbon pipeline planned near the ecologically sensitive Montezuma Wetlands poses significant risks to both the local community and wildlife. During the demonstration, members urged local officials to reject the project, which they describe as dangerous and unnecessary.

The coalition's concerns stem from the potential hazards associated with the pipeline, which would transport millions of tons of toxic carbon dioxide from refineries and power plants in Contra Costa County. Speakers, including Dr. Bonnie Hamilton, a pediatrician and member of the Bay Area Physicians for Social Responsibility, highlighted the catastrophic consequences of a pipeline rupture, warning that a plume of colorless, odorless gas could devastate both human and wildlife populations.

The proposal has stalled, with the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirming that the submitted project documents are incomplete. The county has echoed this sentiment, stating that the application for the necessary permits has not progressed since its submission in January 2025. James Bezek, the director of the county's Department of Resource Management, noted that the application remains unresolved following an incomplete letter issued in February, with no response from the applicant to date.

In addition to the protests, CACTI has presented its case to the Suisun City Council, emphasizing the potential environmental repercussions of injecting carbon dioxide into the wetlands. The EPA's technical review of the project was paused in August 2024, pending the applicant's collection of additional site-specific data. The proposed injection would involve a staggering volume of one million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually for 40 years, totaling 40 million metric tons of emissions.

As discussions continue without board member engagement, the coalition remains adamant in its call to local officials: Solano County should not serve as a dumping ground for hazardous materials. The voices of concerned residents and environmental advocates will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of this contentious project.