Navigator CO2 announced the withdrawal of its proposal to build a carbon pipeline from the Illinois Commerce Commission not six months after initially submitting it.
The reason for this is that the pipeline operator has decided to submit a new proposal with an expanded route before the end of February this year.
Originally, the vast carbon pipeline was set to pass through five US states, including Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Minnesota, spanning roughly 1,300 miles.
In Illinois, the pipeline was set to span 13 counties in Illinois, but Navigator CO2 would like to edit its proposal to include at least one new carbon sequestration site and a lateral route.
Even despite this recent change of plans, the scheduled date for start of construction remains fixed for 2024 and the pipeline is still expected to become operational in 2025.
Navigator’s chief executive Matt Vining commented on the application withdrawal by saying: “There continues to be a growing and diverse number of industrial emitters across the Corn Belt recognizing the value carbon capture technology provides for their businesses.”
Relevant: Navigator CO2 Is Moving Its HQ From Dallas To Omaha
The $3.2 billion carbon pipeline project titled Heartland Greenway is expected to transport and store up to 15 million tons of CO2 per annum.
However, since filing the initial proposal, the project has faced much opposition in different states, including also Illinois, where five different county boards filed petitions with the Illinois Commerce Commission to intervene.
Among the main issues that pipeline opponents have with the Heartland Greenway project are environmental concerns and worries that any potential ruptures may end up harming the environment and local residents.
Read more: Navigator CO2 Ventures Moves Forward South Dakota Carbon Pipeline
