Rail campaigners say a major energy scheme getting the go ahead boosts the case for new North-east rail links.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak gave his formal backing for a carbon-capture and storage project in Aberdeenshire last week.
The Acorn project at the St Fergus gas terminal near Peterhead could create more than 20,000 jobs.
Jordan Jack, general secretary of the Campaign for North East Rail, says the announcement is a "significant boost" to its plans.
Energy Voice says the campaign group's ambition is to bring back train links to long-cut-off communities like Ellon, Peterhead and Fraserburgh.
In October, the Scottish Government awarded the group up to £250,000 for a feasibility study into reopening links.
Mr Jack said the Acorn project will bring new jobs to the area, increasing the volume of people commuting to St Fergus.
"These people will need access to reliable, low- carbon public transport, which is sorely lacking in the area.
"It's not just commuters though - once Acorn is up and running, carbon dioxide will transport to St Fergus from all over the UK.
"Some of this will come via pipeline, but much of it won't. Rail is by far the most efficient and eco friendly way to ship goods.
"Further, if hydrogen or sustainable aviation fuel is produced at St Fergus as a result of the Acorn project, as has been suggested, then we could see a future where trains haul CO2 north, and these new greener fuels south."