Is the Iowa Carbon pipeline safe? Shelby County Supervisor has serious concerns.

Is the Iowa Carbon pipeline safe? The project is set to run through Iowa, but many Iowans have safety and legal concerns. They believe residents, farmers, and landowners are being misled. Steve Kenkel, Chairman of the Shelby County Board of Supervisors says pipeline leaks have injured folks and disabled vehicles— it’s not a matter of if but when. He also says eminent domain laws may be used to force landowners compliance to the benefit of private companies. 

Carbon Capture and Iowa Carbon Pipeline Plans

The CO2 pipeline project, now being led solely by Summit Carbon Solutions after the withdrawal of two other companies, aims to capture CO2 emissions from 30 ethanol plants across Iowa and transport it via high-pressure pipelines to be sequestered underground in North Dakota. Kenkel explains that the pipelines would operate at an extremely high pressure of over 2,100 PSI—significantly higher than typical natural gas lines, which run at around 900 PSI.

He also highlights that the CO2, unlike natural gas, is odorless and colorless, making it hard to detect in the event of a leak. His concern lies in the fact that CO2, when concentrated, can act as an asphyxiant, displacing oxygen and rendering engines inoperable and breathing difficult for those in the surrounding area. Kenkel references a 2020 incident in Mississippi, where a CO2 pipeline rupture sent 45 people to the hospital due to exposure, underlining the potential risks involved.

Eminent Domain and Public Backlash

A significant portion of the interview focuses on the contentious use of eminent domain to acquire land for the Iowa carbon pipeline. Kenkel explains that while the Dakota Access Pipeline impacted fewer than 200 parcels through eminent domain, this project could affect over 800 land parcels. He believe the CO2 pipeline serves private corporate interests rather than a public purpose, a major point of contention for farmers and landowners.

A Des Moines Register poll revealed that 78% of Iowans oppose the use of eminent domain for this project. Kenkel himself questions the necessity of the pipeline, pointing out that many ethanol plants in Iowa have opted out of participating. He clarified CO2 can be captured and used in other industries, such as the production of dry ice or aviation fuel. He claims, “If tax credits wouldn’t be there, you and I wouldn’t even be having this conversation,” he said​ pointing to what he believe are the the project’s financial motivations, driven by tax incentives from the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act.

Is the Iowa Carbon pipeline safe: Safety and Regulatory Gaps

One of Kenkel’s primary concerns is the safety of those living near the Iowa Carbon pipeline proposed route. He expresses frustration over Summit’s apparent refusal to release dispersion modeling or “kill zone” data, which would provide essential information on the potential impact of a pipeline rupture. First responders, he notes, are not adequately trained to handle such incidents, and Summit has indicated that they would only begin safety training after construction has started—a timeline Kenkel finds unacceptable.

Kenkel also raises concerns about water usage, noting that the 30 ethanol plants involved in the project would consume an additional one billion gallons of water annually. This could exacerbate the effects of droughts, which have already strained local water supplies.

Political and Legal Battle

The legal and political landscape surrounding the project is complex. Kenkel points out that 40 Republican lawmakers in Iowa have filed a judicial review, challenging the use of eminent domain for this pipeline. However, prominent Republican figures, including former Governor Terry Branstad is on the board of Summit Carbon Solutions, potentially complicating the issue. Kenkel highlights that while the Republican Party traditionally opposes the abuse of eminent domain, party leaders remain divided on this issue. He has yet to hear Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds address the Iowa Carbon pipeline issue.

Kenkel urges Iowans to stay informed and reach out to their legislators, noting that the project is far from a “done deal,” with several legal and regulatory hurdles still to be addressed. He also mentions that Summit has already sued Shelby County over local setback ordinances designed to protect residents and farmland, adding another layer to the ongoing legal battles.

Kenkel’s insights highlight a multifaceted debate that blends environmental concerns, land rights, and corporate interests, with no clear end in sight.

10/16/24, 1:45PM: Summit Carbon Solutions did not reply to our request for comment.

_{Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, USA. CC BY-SA 2.0 Via WikiCommons.}