Sometimes, it's worth reading an article carefully.
Last week, I posted MInnesota Department of Commerce releases draft EIS for Otter Tail to Wilkin Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Project; public meetings coming up in Breckenridge & Fergus Falls.
On Friday, Nathan Bowe reported on the study and meetings for the Detroit Lakes Tribune in Study finds no major issues with proposed carbon dioxide pipeline in Otter Tail County.
Those reading only the headline might think everything is wonderful with this project. Bluestem recommends that you read the whole article and the Draft Environmental Impact Statement itself.
The DL Online headline doesn't quite foretell some of what's in Bowe's copy, some not even that far down column:
There's the subheading or kicker:
Draft Environmental Impact Statement covers wide range of impacts, including possibility of rupture and explosion.
And the opening copy:
OTTER TAIL COUNTY — A pipeline to carry liquid carbon dioxide from the Green Plains ethanol plant north of Fergus Falls to the North Dakota border near Breckenridge is not expected to have much long-term impact along its route, according to a Draft Environmental Impact Statement done on behalf of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.
The plan by Summit Carbon Solutions is to build about 28 miles of 4-inch-diameter, carbon steel pipeline, along with access roads and a CO2 capture facility at the ethanol plant.
That will allow the ethanol plant to capture and pipe out about 190,000 metric tons of CO2 per year, slashing the carbon intensity of the ethanol produced, and letting the ethanol plant compete in low-carbon fuel standard markets.
Of course, the study pointed out that about the same amount of carbon could be eliminated by using alternative technologies to improve the corn farming methods that feed the ethanol plant, and improve the efficiency in how the plant itself operates. [emphasis added]
At any rate, the draft environmental impact study says the impact during construction will be small to medium, and the impact once it’s in the ground and operating will be smaller yet — unless, of course, the pressurized pipeline ruptures, causing an explosion at the point of rupture. . . . [emphasis added]
This is fine.
To Bluestem, this project seems more about Carbon Solutions' owners capturing federal tax credits than reducing carbon emissions. Perhaps there might be a way to deposit those federal climate action tax credits in the pockets of local farmers and ethanol co-ops.
Montevideo-based grassroots environmental group CURE issued a statement about the EIS and project in a press release:
Minnesota weighs in on the meaning of “Clean Energy” as PUC releases draft EIS for segment of proposed CO2 pipeline
Montevideo, MN, January 23, 2023 —Today, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC or Commission) released its Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the 28-mile Otter Tail to Wilkin Counties segment of Summit Carbon Solutions’ (Summit) proposed 240+ mile carbon dioxide (CO2) pipeline network in Minnesota. This begins a 30-day comment period where Minnesotans can weigh in on the clean-energy future they hope to see for our state.
Summit is one of several companies attempting to rapidly build out pipeline networks to collect carbon dioxide pollution throughout the Midwest. These projects, propelled by the promise of billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded incentives, would move climate-harming pollution at high pressure through farmlands on the way to geological formations where it can be injected underground to either extract otherwise unavailable oil or to sequester the carbon underground long-term. These pipelines would initially be linked to ethanol plants, to allow these facilities to sell their high-carbon products as “low-carbon” fuels in markets that would otherwise reject their ethanol as too polluting.
“This project is a test case for what ‘clean’ or ‘carbon-free’ energy means in Minnesota,” said Maggie Schuppert, Campaigns Director at CURE. “Are we really going to allow industries to create unlimited pollution and then pay them a premium to capture some part of that pollution and call that “clean?” We need to be investing in real carbon-pollution free solutions that don’t rely on faulty math to prop up dirty fuel and energy sources.”
“It is urgent that regulators hear from people in the impacted counties during this comment period,” said Peg Furshong, landowner and Operations Director at CURE. “Even though Summit has only applied for a few dozen miles of pipeline, it’s clear that they plan to impact hundreds more miles of Minnesota in multiple counties. The Public Utilities Commission needs to hear from the people with skin in the game who will be asked to risk their livelihoods and safety for these pipelines.”
“Tribes and rural communities have voiced serious and important concerns at past Commission proceedings about the public safety risks from high-pressure carbon dioxide pipelines,” said Hudson Kingston, CURE Legal Director. “Real climate solutions don’t create sacrifice communities, nor do they leave rural and Indigenous communities with the cleanup bill for other people’s for-profit heavy industries. We expect the Commission to fully consult with and hear these communities, rather than rushing through a permitting process that doesn’t support the public good or public safety.”
Additional info about CO2 pipelines: www.carbonpipelinesmn.org
CURE is rurally based, with staff across Minnesota. CURE knows rural people, lands, and ecosystems are vital to helping solve some of the biggest problems Minnesota and the country face. We help to tell the story of a vibrant rural future, lift-up people to lead, and work for policies and laws to make a better future possible for everyone.
Bluestem encourages Minnesota readers to educate themselves about this project and act on that knowledge.
The Department of Commerce is accepting comments, as well as holding two meetings, about the EIS. Here's the document released about the process:
NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT AND PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETINGS uploaded by Sally Jo Sorensen on Scribd
Meme: Selected purely for the hyperbole.
Related posts
- MInnesota Department of Commerce releases draft EIS for Otter Tail to Wilkin Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Project; public meetings coming up in Breckenridge & Fergus Falls
- Hundreds of CO2 pipeline critics converged on South Dakota Capitol ahead of legislative session
- CCS squabble: CO2 pipeline debate has resulted in divisions among SD ethanol proponents
- Republican presidential field generally opposes eminent domain for ethanol carbon pipelines
- Ethanol carbon pipeline update: Summit Carbon Solutions prevails over 2 Iowa county ordinances
- Poor beleaguered ethanol carbon operatives organize to escape chains of oppression
- Ethanol carbon capture update: Lincoln could become 6th county to regulate carbon pipelines
- South Dakotans First: property rights coalition plans to lobby for eminent domain restrictions.
- Final arguments for Summit ethanol carbon pipeline Iowa permit are due in January
- Critics allege CO2 pipelines ‘farm the government’ for climate $$ while helping oil industry; bills fuel debate over ethanol’s environmental impact, with climate implications
- Ethanol carbon pipeline update: Summit permit decision in Iowa not expected until next year
- If first you don't succeed: Summit's new route in North Dakota adds thirteen miles of pipeline
- Defying the odds: Meet the attorney for 1,000 clients who beat two pipeline companies
- Summit Carbon stands to benefit from Navigator's canceled pipeline, but IA opponents sue to block Summit Carbon water permit
- Cancel culture: Navigator withdraws ethanol carbon pipeline permit application in Iowa
- Navigator CO2 cancels multistate pipeline project
- Summit Carbon Solutions says ethanol carbon pipeline system won’t be operational until 2026
- Some Iowa landowners were confused by Summit Carbon Solution eminent domain process
- Navigator CO2 pulls its ethanol carbon pipeline permit application in Illinois
- Ethanol carbon pipeline news digest: Gevo aviation fuel needs Summit Carbon Solutions and more!
- Iowa Capital Dispatch: Summit pipeline hearing will resume on Tuesday; Navigator asks Iowa regulators to pause its pipeline permit request
- Iowa Capital Dispatch: Local officials in Iowa have potential to block carbon capture projects
- IA Capital Dispatch: Summit permit process in North Dakota has reached ‘uncharted waters
- North Dakota Public Service Commission votes 2-1 to reopen Summit Carbon pipeline case
- Navigator CO2 has not ‘taken any state off the map’ after SD pipeline permit rejection
- Ethanol carbon pipeline digest: reaction to denial; water use in IA; rich guy resists subpoena
- Iowa utility regulators want to finish Summit pipeline permit hearing by month’s end
- State denies Summit permit; both ethanol carbon pipelines proposed in South Dakota now rejected
- Summit Carbon Solutions forges ahead despite SD PUC staff's motion to deny pipeline permit
- SD PUC staff motion: non-mysterious portents in the air about potential denial of Summit Carbon Solution's pipeline permit application
- South Dakota Navigator pipeline decision might jeopardize Summit Carbon Solutions proposal
- Breaking: South Dakota Public Utilities Commission unanimously denies Navigator ethanol CO2 pipeline project permit
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