North Dakota regulators recently approved a permit for Summit Carbon Solutions’ carbon pipeline, a crucial step in what the company claims to be the world’s largest carbon capture project.
After a previous denial in 2023, the Public Service Commission‘s unanimous vote marked a significant victory for Summit. The company’s revised route plan played a key role in securing the approval.
Summit intends to construct 333 miles of pipeline within North Dakota as part of a larger 2,500-mile network spanning five states. The pipeline system will connect 57 ethanol plants, including Tharaldson Ethanol in Casselton, to a carbon storage site west of Bismarck.
Summit’s technology captures carbon dioxide emitted during the ethanol production process, compresses it, and transports it through a hazardous liquid pipeline. The captured carbon is then permanently stored underground in western North Dakota, a region with suitable geological conditions.
While supporters view the project as essential for the ethanol industry’s competitiveness in low-carbon fuel markets, opponents raise concerns about safety, potential harm to farmland and property values, and property rights infringements.
Environmental groups like the Dakota Resource Council argue that the project’s potential harm outweighs its benefits.
Relevant: Carbon Storage Laws Challenged In North Dakota Supreme Court
Despite the approval, Summit still faces challenges in completing its planned route. It requires a permit in South Dakota, where a previous application was denied, and a separate storage permit from the North Dakota Industrial Commission. Additionally, the company needs to secure voluntary property easements from landowners.
The project’s potential for enhanced oil recovery (EOR), a process where carbon dioxide is injected into oil wells to boost production, has also attracted attention.
However, Summit CEO Lee Blank has stated that no oil companies have expressed interest in utilizing carbon dioxide from the pipeline for this purpose.
Relevant: South Dakota Court Upholds Rejection Of Summit Carbon Capture Pipeline
Wade Boeshans, executive vice president of Summit Carbon Solutions, commented: “We commend and respect the North Dakota Public Service Commission for their diligence and thoughtful approach in reviewing this project.”
“This decision is a testament to North Dakota’s commitment to fostering innovation while working closely with communities and industries.
