Bills would boost Mich. oil extraction
“The process — known as enhanced-oil recovery — pushes otherwise unreachable oil to the surface, and stores carbon dioxide underground that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.
The proposals also would allow companies that use the process to request eminent-domain rights for transporting carbon dioxide by pipeline. Currently, only projects transporting oil by pipeline can apply for the rights.
The proposals do not relate to hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” a method used to break up rock formation to maximize natural gas or oil extraction, officials said.
“Michigan will take the first step in joining other states that encourage the use of innovative and enhanced energy recovery methods, while at the same time keeping more CO2 out of the atmosphere,” state Rep. Aric Nesbitt, R-Lawton, a bill sponsor, said in a statement.”
Behnan, Christopher. Livingston Daily 3 February 2014.