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.
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Congress to EPA: What’s Your BEEF with Meat Packers?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering new regulations that take aim at meat and poultry processors.
And some members of Congress have a BEEF with the EPA’s proposals.
The proposed rules: In late January, the EPA released the details of its proposed “Clean Water Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Meat and Poultry Products Point source category.”
Huh?
Basically, the EPA formally published its proposals to combat wastewater contaminants that come from slaughterhouses.
Okay… that makes more sense.
At the heart of the rules proposal is a concern from environmental groups about nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants that originate from slaughterhouses. In some cases, the wastewater goes directly into waterways. In other cases, the water goes to municipal wastewater treatment facilities.
But not everyone is on board with the EPA’s suggestions…
Congress responds: Last week, two U.S. representatives—Eric Burlison (MO) and Ron Estes (KS)—pushed back against the EPA and introduced the “Banning EPA’s Encroachment of Facilities (BEEF) Act.” If passed and signed by President Biden, the law would prohibit the EPA from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing the rule.
According to the lawmakers, the proposed rules place undue burden on small processors—costs that can be absorbed by larger companies.
Soundbite: “The… proposed regulation isn’t just an attack on family-run small businesses, it’s an attack on rural communities,” said Burlison. “These meat and poultry processors are the lifeblood of our communities. The BEEF Act… lets these hardworking Americans do what they do best, produce safe, affordable food for our families.”
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