Microsoft buys carbon credits from Louisiana bioenergy plant

(The Center Square) – Fuels manufacturer C2X, a subsidiary of shipping giant A.P. Moller Group, has signed a long-term deal with Microsoft for carbon removal credits generated at a bio-methanol plant that would be built at the site of a shuttered paper mill in central Louisiana.

C2X is developing the Beaver Lake bio-methanol production project near Pineville in Rapides Parish at the site of the former International Paper mill, which closed in 2009.

The $2.4 billion plant, according to Houston-based C2X, is being designed to convert locally sourced forestry thinnings, treetops and sawmill residues into bio-methanol for consumption by global and U.S. customers in the shipping, aviation, chemicals and industrial sectors, with commercial operations expected to begin in 2029.

“The Beaver Lake project combines the benefits of bio-methanol production for customers in hard-to-abate sectors with permanent carbon removals,” said Brian Davis, CEO of C2X.

Under the agreement, Beaver Lake will deli...