The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) is proud to announce that the Plains CO₂ Reduction (PCOR) Partnership has been awarded the 2025 Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC) Chair’s Stewardship Award. This prestigious honor recognizes organizations that demonstrate leadership, innovation, and meaningful partnerships in advancing environmental stewardship. EERC Vice President for Strategic Partnerships John Harju accepted the award on behalf of the PCOR Partnership at the IOGCC Annual Conference in Anchorage, Alaska.
Founded in 2003, the PCOR Partnership is led by the EERC, with support from the University of Wyoming and the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The PCOR Partnership is funded by the National Energy Technology Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, the Oil and Gas Research Program and the Lignite Research Program of the North Dakota Industrial Commission, and its more than 250 public and private partners. The goal of this joint government–industry partnership is to accelerate the commercial deployment of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies throughout the PCOR Partnership region, comprising 10 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces spanning the upper Great Plains and northwestern North America. Recognized as a global leader with over two decades of experience, the PCOR Partnership program focuses on providing technical solutions by addressing the challenges facing commercial CCUS deployment. The work of the PCOR Partnership has played an instrumental role in establishing the technical foundation for geologic site characterization, advancing innovative monitoring technologies, and providing scientific support to policymakers and regulators. Through this work, the PCOR Partnership has become a trusted resource for states pursuing Class VI primacy and industry leaders developing CCUS projects.
In 2008, the partnership received the Chair’s Stewardship Award for Environmental Partnership. Seventeen years later, the PCOR Partnership’s continued research, regulatory engagement, and collaboration with industry have further solidified its role as a trusted resource for advancing CCUS. Earlier this year, the PCOR Partnership hosted its 12th Regulatory Roundup, bringing together regulators from 14 states and Alberta, Canada, to share strategies and coordinate approaches to regulating CCUS. The partnership also played a pivotal role in supporting Alaska as it developed and passed geologic carbon storage legislation in 2024, a milestone achievement in the state’s pursuit of securing Class VI primacy.
“This award reflects the incredible teamwork and dedication of our many partners across government and industry,” said Harju. “Together, we’re shaping the future of carbon management and building the frameworks needed to deploy these technologies responsibly.” The PCOR Partnership continues to grow in influence and reach, helping states and provinces develop the regulatory frameworks that protect the environment and enable responsible CCUS project development. With its strong foundation of research, collaboration, and innovation, the PCOR Partnership remains dedicated to making safe, practical CCUS projects a reality.