Introduction to Deep Sky Alpha

Deep Sky Alpha is at the forefront of addressing one of the most pressing challenges of our time: climate change. As the world’s first carbon removal innovation and commercialization center, we are dedicated to developing and implementing Direct Air Capture (DAC) technologies that effectively remove excess carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. Our facility, located in Innisfail, Alberta, serves as a demonstration facility that will evaluate various DAC technologies sourced from leading innovators across the globe.

Our mission extends beyond mere carbon removals; we aim to create a sustainable framework that benefits the local economy, promotes environmental stewardship, and enhances the overall quality of life for community members. By collaborating with local stakeholders, we strive to ensure that our operations and activities align with community values and aspirations, paving the way for a cleaner, healthier future.

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Importance of Community Engagement

At Deep Sky, we recognize that the success of our projects hinges on strong, collaborative relationships with the communities we operate within. Our commitment to community engagement is rooted in the following principles:

1. Building Trust: Engaging with the community early and continuously fosters trust and allows us to proactively address concerns before they escalate. By establishing open communication channels and demonstrating availability and openness from all team members, we ensure that community members feel heard and valued.
2. Transparent Communication: We prioritize clear and accessible information availability and dissemination about our projects, detailing the benefits, potential impacts, timelines, and any disruptions that may arise. This transparency helps mitigate misunderstandings and builds confidence in our operations.
3. Inclusive Participation: We actively seek to involve a diverse range of stakeholders, including residents, local businesses, indigenous groups, and underrepresented populations. Our engagement strategies are designed to ensure that all voices are heard and respected.
4. Community Benefits: We are committed to delivering tangible benefits to the community, such as education, job creation, infrastructure improvements, and environmental enhancements. By working collaboratively with local organizations, we aim to identify and fulfill community needs.
5. Feedback and Improvement: Establishing effective channels for community feedback allows us to refine our engagement strategies and project implementation continuously. We value community input as it directly informs our decision-making processes and enhances project outcomes.

To formalize our commitment to community engagement, Deep Sky will establish a Community Engagement Committee. This committee will be dedicated to facilitating ongoing dialogue with the community, ensuring that local voices are included in our decision-making processes, and implementing feedback effectively.

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Key Engagement Activities

Throughout the community engagement period from June to October 2024, we undertook a variety of activities in Innisfail, Alberta to build relationships and gather insights:

• Stakeholder Meetings: We conducted over 30 meetings with stakeholders, including local residents, business owners, environmental organizations, and municipal leaders. These meetings served as platforms for sharing information about our project, addressing concerns, and gathering valuable feedback.
• Open Houses: Two open houses were organized in September 2024, inviting the public to learn more about the DAC project and engage in direct discussions with our team. These events featured informational presentations, interactive Q&A sessions, and opportunities for community members to voice their thoughts and inquiries.
• Communication Channels: We established multiple communication channels to maintain ongoing dialogue with the community. This included dedicated email addresses for inquiries, newsletters providing updates on project progress, and a project website featuring detailed information about our operations and impact, including FAQ.
  

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Organizations we engaged

• Town of Innisfail
• Innisfail Chamber of Commerce
• Innisfail & District Agricultural Society
• Rotary Club of Innisfail
• Government of Alberta
• Invest Alberta
• Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation
• Red Deer Polytechnic
• Olds College
• City of Red Deer
• Red Deer County
• The Innisfail Harvest Festival
• Alberta Ministry of the Environment and Protected Areas
• Alberta Ministry of Energy and Minerals

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Community Insights

Our engagement efforts have yielded valuable insights into community perspectives, particularly in the areas of environmental concerns, economic impact, and safety.

Environmental Concerns

Many community members expressed concerns about the potential environmental impacts of the DAC facility. Key points discussed include:

• Air Quality: Stakeholders wanted reassurance that the technology employed at Deep Sky would improve local air quality. We explained that the DAC process is designed to remove excess CO₂, thus contributing to cleaner air. The operation involves large, harmless fans that circulate air and capture CO₂ without negatively impacting the environment.
• Wildlife Impacts: Questions were raised regarding the effects of construction and operations on local wildlife and ecosystems. We assured stakeholders that all operations are designed to minimize disturbance to the local ecosystem and that environmental assessments have been conducted to ensure compliance with local wildlife conservation measures.

Economic Impact

The community is keenly interested in the economic implications of the project. Here’s how we addressed their concerns:

• Job Creation: The project is projected to create 80 construction jobs and 15 ongoing operations jobs, with a strong emphasis on hiring local talent. We are committed to working with local contractors and service providers to maximize the economic benefits of the project.
• Long-Term Commitment: Community members inquired about the duration of our presence in Innisfail. We anticipate being an active participant in the community for at least a decade, with possibilities for future expansions and additional investments, which could further enhance local economic growth.
• Investment in education, research and innovation: As part of our commitment to the community, we plan to invest in local education, research and innovation, which could include programs for students, collaborations with local post-secondary institutions and training and upskilling for potential talent who have an interest in working with Deep Sky Alpha.

Safety and Remediation

Safety remains a paramount concern for the community, and we are dedicated to ensuring that all operations adhere to strict safety protocols:

• CO₂ Usage and Storage: Community members sought clarity on where the captured CO₂ would be stored and its implications. We explained that captured CO₂ will be transported to a well-established storage facility north of Edmonton, ensuring compliance with all regulatory standards and safety measures.
• Remediation Plans: In the unlikely event of a financial crisis, we have developed comprehensive remediation plans to ensure that any abandoned facilities are safely decommissioned, preventing potential environmental harm. This includes detailed protocols for site restoration and monitoring.

Addressing Community Questions

Throughout our engagement efforts, several key questions emerged from the community, which we addressed as follows:

1. How noisy will the facility be?
   • The noise generated by the facility will be comparable to that of a dozen commercial air conditioners, which is considered minimal. Sound barriers and operational protocols will further mitigate noise impact on the surrounding area. The facility is not located near any residential areas, which further mitigates any sound impacts.
2. What are the environmental impacts?
   • Direct air capture technology is designed to be environmentally friendly. The facility will utilize 100% renewable solar energy, ensuring that our operations produce no harmful emissions or byproducts, and we will continuously monitor our environmental impact.
3. What are the impacts to agriculture?
   • Direct air capture has no negative impact on crop health. In fact, carbon removal can help mitigate climate change and improve the health of croplands.
4. What remediation would be needed if the facility becomes inactive?
   • We have established comprehensive plans to safely decommission the facility and remediate the land, ensuring that any potential negative impacts are thoroughly addressed. This includes environmental assessments and restoration efforts.
5. What is the facility's CO₂ capture capacity?
   • The facility is designed to capture 3,000 tons of CO₂ per year. Understanding the capture capacity of various land uses (e.g., trees, regenerative agriculture) can enhance discussions about potential land management practices and opportunities for collaboration with local agricultural stakeholders.
6. How quickly can the facility achieve net negative CO₂ emissions?
   • The timeline for reaching net negative emissions is contingent on operational efficiency, technology employed, and our commitment to sustainable practices. We are actively developing metrics to measure our progress and share these with the community.
7. Will you comply with requirements for permits and provincial regulations?
   • At Deep Sky Alpha, compliance with all relevant environmental, building, and provincial regulations is a cornerstone of our commitment to responsible development. We are proud to confirm that our operations in the Town of Innisfail meet or exceed all regulatory requirements set by provincial authorities. This includes adherence to stringent environmental standards, construction codes, and operational guidelines.
   • Our team has worked diligently to secure all necessary permits for the development and operation of our Direct Air Capture (DAC) facility. These permits cover every aspect of the project. In collaboration with provincial regulators and local authorities, we have ensured that the facility is fully authorized and aligned with the regulatory framework in Alberta.
   • We remain committed to maintaining open communication with the community and regulatory bodies to ensure continued compliance throughout the lifecycle of the project. This commitment reflects our dedication to not only advancing innovative climate solutions but also being a responsible partner to the Town of Innisfail and its residents.

Communications strategies to effectively answer resident questions included a scientific explainer article in The Albertan (Deep Sky experts have carbon removal answers for Innisfailians), a detailed FAQ on our website, pamphlets with more details handed out at the open houses, and regular communication with Town Officials to stay abreast of resident questions and concerns.

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Conclusion

The ongoing dialogue with the Innisfail community is essential for the success of Deep Sky Alpha. We are grateful for the valuable feedback received, which has informed our approach and strengthened our commitment to transparency and collaboration.

As we move forward, Deep Sky is dedicated to fostering positive, respectful, and collaborative relationships with the community. We encourage community members to reach out with any further questions or concerns at innisfail@deepskyclimate.com. Together, we can build a sustainable future that benefits both the environment and the community.