Ebb Carbon's Project Macoma Secures Landmark NPDES Permit

A First for Marine Carbon Removal Technology

Ebb Carbon has achieved a major milestone with its first-of-its-kind National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for Project Macoma, a marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) pilot.This marks the first time an mCDR project has been granted an NPDES permit under the Clean Water Act, an essential regulatory framework protecting environmental and human health when discharges occur in federal waters.

With this permit, Ebb Carbon is set to advance Project Macoma in Port Angeles, Washington. The state has some of the strictest environmental regulations in the world, making this permit a significant step toward proving the viability of marine-based carbon removal technologies.

Advancing Carbon Removal with Electrochemical Technology

Project Macoma will be a temporary two-year initiative aimed at removing up to 1,000 tonnes of atmospheric CO2 using Ebb Carbon’s novel electrochemical technology.

In addition to carbon removal, the project will enhance water quality in Port Angeles Harbor, addressing the pressing issue of coastal acidification in the region.

Ebb Carbon spent more than a year developing and refining this technology at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Sequim, Washington.

There, the company worked alongside leading scientists in biogeochemistry, ocean acidification, marine ecology, and ocean modeling, ensuring that the technology is both effective and environmentally sound.

A Project Shaped by Local and Scientific Expertise

Project Macoma is a response to the environmental needs and climate priorities of Washington State, where ocean acidification poses a growing challenge.

Over two years, Ebb Carbon engaged local stakeholders, listening to community concerns and integrating feedback into the project’s design.

The result is a carbon removal initiative tailored to local ecological conditions, balancing technological innovation with environmental responsibility.

The project’s rapid permitting process—completed in under nine months—demonstrates the effectiveness of Ebb Carbon’s approach.

"Securing this permit is a historic moment for marine carbon removal," said Ben Tarbell, CEO of Ebb Carbon. "It validates our approach and allows us to demonstrate that this technology can be safely deployed at scale."

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The Road Ahead for Project Macoma

With regulatory approvals in place, Ebb Carbon will now move forward with deploying Project Macoma and ensuring that operations adhere to rigorous monitoring and reporting requirements. The company’s ultimate goal is to scale up mCDR technology in a way that enhances ocean health while contributing to climate solutions.

"We are committed to working alongside regulators, scientists, and local communities to make sure that Project Macoma delivers meaningful environmental benefits," said Dr. Grace Andrews, Chief Scientist at Ebb Carbon. "This is an exciting step toward scalable, ocean-based carbon removal."

As Ebb Carbon pushes forward with this pioneering effort, Project Macoma stands as a critical test case for the future of marine carbon removal. If successful, this initiative could pave the way for broader adoption of electrochemical mCDR technologies, offering a scalable solution to carbon removal while addressing coastal acidification challenges.

For more information, visit Ebb Carbon’s website.