The Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC) has confirmed that Summit Carbon Solutions has complied with the requirements it had previously laid out for the proposed carbon dioxide (CO2) pipeline project.
On June 25, 2024, the IUC issued its final decision and order for Summit Carbon Solutions’ hazardous liquid pipeline permit but required that the company make several compliance fillings as part of the deal.
When approving the pipeline plans, the IUC said that Summit Carbon Solutions had to file proof of a general liability insurance policy of no less than $100m to cover any damages related to the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Iowa pipeline.
On August 5, 2024, Summit Carbon Solutions filed the compliance fillings required by the IUC. The filing included revised petition exhibits. Summit Carbon Solutions has made the required outstanding globally applicable changes and modifications ordered by the IUC.
The IUC also said that Summit Carbon Solutions is unable to start construction until it has obtained approval from North Dakota for the route and sequestration site and approval from South Dakota for the route.
At the time of writing, approval has not been approved in either state. However, it was reported earlier this year that Summit Carbon Solution has secured 80% of the necessary right-of-way for the project.
Summit Carbon Solutions hopes to span five states – North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska – with its CO2 pipeline, covering 2,500 miles.
As part of the project plans, the company has partnered with 57 ethanol plants across the five states. It plans to capture CO2 from the fermentation process in these biorefineries, compress the captured CO2, and channel it to North Dakota for permanent underground storage in deep geological storage locations.
This will reduce the carbon footprint of the ethanol sites.
A recent white paper published by the University of Houston said that ensuring the safe transportation of CO2 requires a balance between protecting the community, the environment, and continued economic development through fossil energy use,
A growing number of carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) projects are expected to come online over the next decade, causing a related growth in pipelines.
The US is a global leader in carbon management and the deployment of CCUS and its CO2 pipeline network currently spans around 5,385 miles.
It does, however, note some concerns related to pipelines. Specifically, the white paper says that corrosion, mechanical stress, material degradation, and welding effects can weaken the pipe structure and compromise its safety.
Geological issues present another challenge, since pipelines often traverse diverse terrains and landscapes, and landslides, subsidence, and erosion can disrupt pipeline stability and lead to potential leaks or ruptures.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is working on new safety regulations for carbon pipelines. These are due to be published in 2024 and are yet to be finalised.
