In a significant move, North Dakota regulators recently approved a permit for Summit Carbon Solutions’ carbon pipeline. This approval is a crucial step in the company’s plan to create what it claims will be the world’s largest carbon capture project.
After a previous denial in 2023, the Public Service Commission’s unanimous vote marks a major win for Summit.
Summit’s Carbon Pipeline Plan
Summit Carbon Solutions intends to build 333 miles of pipeline within North Dakota. This will be part of a larger 2,500-mile network across five states. The network will connect 57 ethanol plants, including the Tharaldson Ethanol plant in Casselton, to a carbon storage site west of Bismarck.
Summit’s technology captures carbon dioxide emissions from the ethanol production process, compresses the gas, and transports it through a hazardous liquid pipeline. The captured carbon will be stored permanently underground in western North Dakota, which has the geological conditions to support such storage.
Also read: South Dakotans Reject Carbon Pipeline Proposal
Benefits and Concerns Surrounding the Project
Supporters of the pipeline view it as vital for the competitiveness of the ethanol industry in the growing low-carbon fuel market. They argue that the project will help reduce the carbon footprint of ethanol production.
However, critics, including environmental groups like the Dakota Resource Council, argue that the project could have harmful effects. They raise concerns about safety risks, potential harm to farmland, and the infringement of property rights.
Also read: US-Backed Carbon Market Proposal Sparks Debate at COP29
Challenges and Future Steps
Despite the permit approval, Summit still faces hurdles in completing the pipeline project. The company needs to obtain a permit for the South Dakota portion, where a previous application was denied. Additionally, the company must secure voluntary property easements from landowners along the route. Summit also requires a separate storage permit from the North Dakota Industrial Commission.
Potential for Enhanced Oil Recovery
The project has drawn attention due to its potential for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). In this process, carbon dioxide is injected into oil wells to increase production. While Summit’s CEO Lee Blank has stated that no oil companies have expressed interest in using carbon dioxide from the pipeline for EOR, the possibility remains a point of discussion.
Summit’s executive vice president, Wade Boeshans, commended the North Dakota Public Service Commission for its careful review of the project, emphasizing the importance of innovation in supporting communities and industries. The decision represents a commitment to fostering progress while considering local interests.