Commissioner expresses safety concerns about proposed carbon pipeline

Antelope County Commissioners listened to updates about the proposed Midwest Carbon Express pipeline, Sept. 13, during the board's regular monthly meeting.

Derrick Montgomery was scheduled to present on behalf of Summit Carbon Solutions; however, due to illness, Ben Fuller, a relationship manager with the Iowa-based company, gave an overview of the project. He provided commissioners with handouts, including a map of the county and a few pages including tax information.

Summit Carbon Solutions has proposed a pipeline across five states that will collect carbon dioxide from ethanol plants. The carbon will then be transported and sequestered one to two miles underground in Bismarck, North Dakota. The purpose of the pipeline is to keep corn prices elevated, as well as keep ethanol businesses running, including Husker Ag near Plainview.

Fuller referenced to a handout that states that 50% of Nebraska-grown corn is sold to ethanol plants.

SCS's target construction start date is late summer 2023. Currently, the company has acquired 9.81 miles of the 26.89 miles of right-of-way easements in the area. Statewide, 119 miles have been acquired, totaling 37% acquisition.

Following Fuller's presentation, he opened the floor up for questions.

"I have a little bit of a problem with the whole situation," Commissioner Dean Smith said. "I don't know for sure what my farming neighbors in North Dakota think about having this pumped underneath their ground for eternity so – you know – down here you can make it sound like a great deal ... but I don't think things are going so well for your company in North Dakota, are they?"

Fuller responded, "I believe the numbers are right there; we actually have the land eased already for the sequester site."

Smith said he would like more information on the safety aspect of the proposed pipeline.

Fuller explained the carbon is noncombustible and would eventually solidify. Smith asked if an odorant would be added.

When Fuller admitted he did not know, Smith asked if that would be part of the issue, considering carbon is an asphyxiant.

"I'm not an engineer, so I don't know," Fuller said. "I can write this down and see if–."

Smith responded, "Well, if you are out here promoting it, and there's questions about safety because – how far will the safety shutdowns be?"

After a short question-and-answer period took place, Smith told Fuller he would like to know the distance between valves across Antelope County.

The $4.5 billion project will cover 2,000 miles. Construction is expected to begin in 2023.