Please join the Payne Institute for Public Policy at the Colorado School of Mines as we welcome Maris Densmore, Director, Industrial Solutions, American Carbon Registry – Winrock International and Staci Taruscio, CEO, Rebellion Energy Solutions, presenting a virtual seminar titled Prioritizing Sustainability: The ACR Methodology Putting Methane Emissions Reductions through Orphan Well Plugging Within Reach on Wednesday, May 24, 2023.

The ACR Methodology for Quantifying, Monitoring, Reporting, and Verifying GHG Emissions Reductions from Plugging Orphaned Oil and Gas Wells is designed to provide a clear framework for prioritizing and plugging orphan wells across Canada and the US. Through the monetization of methane emissions reductions, this methodology helps fund the costs of plugging abandoned wells, while promoting sustainable practices. The methodology will provide a standardized approach to measuring and verifying emissions reductions, ensuring that GHG reductions are accurately quantified and reported to stakeholders. With project application already underway, this methodology allows project proponents and carbon credit buyers to prioritize the environmental benefits of plugging orphan wells and make a significant contribution to reducing GHG emissions, mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Maris Densmore, ACR Director of Industrial Solutions, Maris has 20 years of experience in the climate, environmental protection, and energy sectors is responsible for implementing new strategic opportunities to harness the power of markets for high impact emission reduction and removals actions including geologic storage of carbon and high-GWP gas emissions abatement.  Maris is a licensed geologist and has extensive field experience in both environmental and oil and gas operations.  

Staci Taruscio is the CEO of Rebellion Energy Solutions, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in field operations, reservoir engineering, and project management in the oil and gas industry across the United States and Canada. With a Petroleum Engineering degree and an MBA, Staci is a proven leader in upstream E&P, having successfully built two private operating companies. She now focuses on plug and abandonment work, converting legacy wells from liability to asset in collaboration with NGOs, policymakers, operators, private investors, and scientists to uncover hidden value, standardize processes and develop tech. Staci has contributed to federal guidance on environmental issues and is a founding board member of Fellow Environmental Partners, a national non-profit dedicated to meaningful collaboration in the abandoned and orphaned well space.