Cass County reviews draft carbon sequestration zoning ordinance, sends it to plan commission

Cass County Commissioners held a special meeting at 09:00 on Aug. 27, 2026 to review Ordinance 2026-12, a proposed county zoning amendment establishing standards for carbon sequestration projects. The chair opened the session and asked staff to present the version of the draft that should be considered.

Staff member (speaker 4), who assembled suggested edits from multiple commissioners, described the document-wide change from “CCS” to “CSP” and read the new definition into the record: “a carbon sequestration project…involves the underground storage of carbon dioxide in a reservoir pursuant to at least 1 UIC class 6 permit.” The draft also adds multiple new sections including notification, monitoring, financial assurances and enforcement provisions.

After discussion and a brief public question about fees, Commissioner (speaker 6) moved, and the motion was seconded, to send the ordinance to the Cass County Plan Commission as presented. Commissioners voted in favor to transmit the draft for Plan Commission review; staff said the Plan Commission meets Tuesday at 08:30 and the item can be added to that agenda.

The commission did not adopt the ordinance at the special meeting; the vote was a recommendation to send the draft to the Plan Commission for further review and public consideration.