Letter to the Editor - Carbon Pipeline

There is much for citizens and their elected representatives to be aware of when considering the pros and cons of the Summit Carbon Solutions carbon dioxide pipeline proposed for Cherokee County.  Carbon dioxide is odorless, colorless, heavier than air and an asphyxiant and intoxicant, and transporting CO2 by pipeline could pose serious public safety risks. 

Modeling provided by the now defunct Navigator CO2 pipeline project showed that the catastrophic rupture of an 8” diameter CO2 pipeline leading to a rapid discharge of CO2 would release a toxic plume of carbon dioxide  that could travel at least 1,855 feet depending on wind and weather conditions. The model predicted that such a rupture could release enough CO2 to reach a concentration of 40,000 parts per million (ppm) for 30 minutes. Exposure to this level of CO2 in humans would pose an immediate threat to life or health conditions potentially leading to serious health effects or death.

A map of the Summit CO2 pipeline route through Cherokee County shows 202 dwellings located within a half mile (2640’) of the proposed pipeline.         

• Two dwellings are within 400’ of the pipeline.
• 44 dwellings are located between 401’ - 1855’ from the pipeline. 
• 156 dwellings are located further than 1855’ but within one half mile of the pipeline.     
• Quimby has 80 dwelling units within a mile of the proposed pipeline.  

Based on census data, an estimated 408 people in Cherokee county will be living in the impact zone of the proposed CO2 pipeline route.  

While the CO2 dispersion distance for an 8” pipe is 1855 feet, the dispersion distance for the 10 and 12 inch pipes proposed for Cherokee county would be significantly greater – the volume of CO2 contained within a 12 inch pipeline is more than twice that of an 8” pipe. 

Summit Carbon Solutions did not consider the safety of residents in its criteria for determining the route for its hazardous carbon dioxide pipeline through Iowa, nor did the Iowa Utilities Commission consider the safety of landowners and their neighbors in granting Summit a conditional permit and the use of eminent domain to build the CO2 pipeline. 

While landowners with property on the pipeline route were given the choice to voluntarily sign an easement with Summit or be taken to eminent domain proceedings,  families and communities living next to the pipeline route received no financial consideration from Summit and were afforded no rights and no input into the decision to place the pipeline near their homes.    Ironically, counties that have passed setback ordinances - requiring safe distances from the pipeline to residences - are currently being sued by Summit.  

On one hand, the county government wants to be supportive of business and potential economic development opportunities. On the other hand, hazardous CO2 pipelines may pose an unwanted risk to the safety and health of nearby residents and communities, and, at the same time, potentially diminish the value of homes and property on and near the route, affect the availability and quality of water for county residents, and increase county costs for providing  emergency medical services specific to the CO2 pipelines and ongoing oversight of Summit’s construction and operation issues in perpetuity.  These consequences will affect every resident in the county.

What can Cherokee County citizens do to make their concerns known? Contact your elected officials and insist that they take steps to protect your safety and your rights. 

At the local level, the Board of Supervisors has the power to determine county emergency response measures, regulate construction/operation mitigation, and legislate certain permitting to limit negative impacts on county residents. 

At the state level, our elected officials must enact legislation to put the property rights of taxpaying citizens  above the rights of private, for-profit corporations and their shareholders.  Eminent domain is meant to be used for the benefit of society.  It was not intended to reward corporations that place unnecessary burdens on the public for their own private gain. 

At the federal level, let your representatives and senators know that the use of tens of billions of our tax dollars to pay a private, for-profit corporation to pump, at best, .04% of annual global CO2 emissions underground is ludicrous and an egregious waste of taxpayer resources. 

Most importantly, educate yourself on carbon dioxide pipelines and the abuse of eminent domain.  It’s time to stop sacrificing the safety, health, lives and property rights of Iowa citizens on the altar of corporate profit. 

Patty Beyer

Cherokee County resident