A Pipe Dream… Or Nightmare

A new carbon pipeline project is pumping up feelings among agriculturists and lawmakers.

Digging up dirt: In 2023, the Heartland Greenway pipeline project was canceled. It had originally been a project to capture 15M metric tons of carbon dioxide from Midwest ethanol plants every year and store it underground. The idea is that this reduces the carbon footprint of corn ethanol and allows it to be sold as aviation fuel.

So you’re saying there’s a chance: Fast forward to 2024, and the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline project, a partnership with 57 ethanol plants across Iowa, Minnesota, the Dakotas, and Nebraska, has the same strategy: to capture CO2 and store it permanently in North Dakota.

Carbon capture conversations: While some farmers see the potential positive of the pipeline (to allow corn to be used for jet fuel), others feel the pressure about protecting landowner rights against eminent domain if they’re in the pipeline’s path.

Pipeline pitfalls: Some lawmakers are also not in favor—especially in Iowa. Thirty-six lawmakers filed a state and federal lawsuit against the Iowa Utilities Commission for granting the company building the pipeline with eminent domain rights. Essentially, landowners can’t say no to the pipe if it acquires the necessary approvals.

Permits galore: The company needs a second permit in Iowa—and public meetings are happening. Additionally, permits are still needed in several states before the pipe’s path can be promised.