North Dakota Approves Controversial Carbon Dioxide Pipeline
Bismarck, N.D. – In a significant development for carbon capture initiatives, North Dakota utility regulators unanimously granted approval for Summit Carbon Solutions’ revised 333-mile carbon dioxide pipeline route, marking a pivotal win for the company amid persistent landowner objections. The North Dakota Public Service Commission’s decision enables Summit to advance its ambitious $8 billion project, a planned 2,500-mile pipeline intended to transport carbon emissions from 57 ethanol plants across five Midwest states for underground storage in North Dakota.
Despite the approval, construction remains stalled until additional permits are acquired from North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Nebraska. Summit previously faced regulatory setbacks, including permit denials in both North Dakota and South Dakota in 2023. Governor Doug Burgum has emphasized the potential for North Dakota to become a leader in underground CO2 storage, calling it a “geologic jackpot.”
While proponents tout the project as a critical step in combating climate change, aided by federal tax incentives, opponents express concerns about potential health hazards from pipeline ruptures and the risks associated with eminent domain. North Dakota Public Service Commission Chairman Randy Christmann urged the company to minimize its use of eminent domain during project execution.
Summit CEO Lee Blank indicated the company’s commitment to working voluntarily with landowners, reporting that it has secured easements for over 82% of its North Dakota route. However, some local stakeholders, including Republican state Sen. Jeff Magrum, advocate for investing in traditional infrastructure rather than what they perceive as “Green New Deal” projects.
The project’s future remains uncertain as it awaits approval decisions in Minnesota, where the Public Utilities Commission will deliberate on a connecting pipeline segment, and in South Dakota, where a reapplication is planned after a recent permit denial. Opponents continue to challenge the viability of carbon capture technology, raising doubts about its effectiveness at scale.
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