A New Nimbyism Blocks Carbon Pipelines

A New Nimbyism Blocks Carbon Pipelines

Projects for burying carbon emissions are under pressure in the Midwest, spelling challenges ahead for massive infrastructure buildup.  Oil and gas pipelines have been stymied for years by environmentalists and landowners. Now those groups are blocking CO2 pipelines too. In the Midwest, a coalition of environmental groups and farmers have teamed up to stop plans to erect thousands of miles of pipelines that would carry climate-warming carbon emissions to underground storage locations.

The projects are vital to President Biden’s plans to drastically curtail emissions, but the groups question their green credentials, safety and use of eminent domain to seize private property. Regulators in North and South Dakota recently rejected permit applications by developers after fierce local opposition, injecting uncertainty into the companies’ multibillion-dollar plans to shuttle and store CO2 deep under the surface. The roadblocks are reminiscent of those faced in recent years by proposed crude pipelines such as Keystone XL and the Dakota Access Pipeline. 

Gevo’s B aviation fuel investment tied to Summit CO2 pipeline

Gevo’s $1B aviation fuel investment tied to Summit CO2 pipeline

Critics question why project’s reliance on sequestration line didn’t come up before PUC rejection.

Without the Summit Carbon Solutions’ pipeline, what’s believed to be the largest capital investment in South Dakota’s history might not happen.

That was part of the message from Kent Hartwig, director of state government affairs with Gevo, at Tuesday’s Brown County Commission meeting at the courthouse annex.

Gevo is planning a plant near Lake Preston that would include an ethanol plant and a hydrocarbon plant that converts the ethanol into aviation jet fuel. The plant would be powered by an adjoining wind farm.

The ethanol-hydrocarbon plant is estimated to cost $850 million and the wind farm $150 million, for an overall investment of $1 billion. The wind farm would power the plant.

 

Summit Carbon Solution are starting over with the counties

Summit Carbon Solution are starting over with the counties

SIOUX FALLS, S.D(KELO)- Summit Carbon Solutions plans to come back with another plan for a carbon capture pipeline in South Dakota..

Summit’s Chief Operating Officer Jimmy Powell talks about company officials began meeting with county commissioners last week, and he says they’ll be back at it again.

Powell says it’s a big task, because the Summit pipeline passes through 82 counties in five states.

It’s week two of what you could call the “Mea Culpa” tour for Summit Carbon Solutions.

The company was denied a permit to build a carbon capture pipeline through South Dakota.

The main reason — they said they couldn’t build it because of restrictive pipeline ordinances passed in some counties.

Now, Powell says they’re starting all over.

Stakeholders Rally Amid CO2 Pipeline Permitting Uncertainty; PHMSA Clarifies Local Regulatory Powers

Stakeholders Rally Amid CO2 Pipeline Permitting Uncertainty; PHMSA Clarifies Local Regulatory Powers

North Dakota stakeholders are awaiting the Public Service Commission’s decision concerning the permit reconsideration for a CO2 pipeline proposed by Summit Carbon Solutions.

Meanwhile, a congregation of legislators, landowners, and various groups demonstrated their solidarity at a “Protect Your Community” rally held on September 22nd at the state capitol. Despite inclement weather, the event saw an attendance of over 75 individuals who were addressed on the latest developments and reassured on the continuing fight for landowners’ rights.

Summit vows reform, will dismiss 160 condemnation lawsuits in South Dakota

Summit vows reform, will dismiss 160 condemnation lawsuits in South Dakota

Summit Carbon Solutions is working to refresh its maligned image in South Dakota.

Kylie Lange, a senior project manager, and Alex Lange, director of engineering, appeared at the Brown County Commission meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 26. They said Summit will resubmit its construction permit to build a carbon sequestration pipeline to the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, but wants to be more transparent, open and pleasant in working with landowners and counties.

To that end, Alex Lange said, Summit is in the works of dropping 160 condemnation lawsuits filed against landowners across the state.

Passion, principals, and pride postpone pipeline

Passion, principals, and pride postpone pipeline

America is a crooked road, man.

From our seat as a local news publisher, it’s been extremely interesting talking to people over the past several years about where this crooked road is headed. But some of the real cerebral analysis comes when capitalism bangs into freedom.

This week we got the news that Navigator is halting, albeit temporarily they say, activities to build a $3 billion pipeline through the Midwest, specifically through Lee County.