Midwest Ag Future
What You Need to Know About Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) in North Dakota2023-05-26T11:04:44-05:00

What You Need to Know About Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) in North Dakota

About CO2 Pipelines in North Dakota

  • There are currently 205 Miles of CO2 pipelines in North Dakota
  • CO2 pipelines have been safely operating in ND for 50 years

CO2 Pipeline Facts

  • These projects utilize long-standing, proven, and reliable technologies that are safe for landowners and the communities they travel through
  • Carbon capture technology is currently in use at more than 40 ethanol plants across the United States with more than 5,000 miles of CO2 pipelines in the United States. All of these are regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation with zero fatalities associated with CO2 pipelines over the past 20 years.
  • Unlike many other gases or substances that are transported by pipelines, the compressed CO2 is not flammable or explosive when mixed with air, making it a safer substance to transport.
  • This process has been done, and done safely, for over 50 years to date.
    • Oil and gas were similarly stored underground naturally, and the rocks used to to store CO2 are the same as those that naturally housed fossil fuels for millions of years.

About The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)

Like all large-scale infrastructure projects, pipelines are heavily regulated at both the state and federal levels. There are rules and agencies working to ensure that carbon capture, transportation and storage projects are safe and accountable.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is part of the United States Department of Transportation. PHMSA’s Office of Pipeline Safety ensures “the safe, reliable, and environmentally-sound operation of the nation’s natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline transportation system.”

PHMSA’s mission is to “protect people and the environment by advancing the safe transportation of energy and other hazardous materials that are essential to our daily lives.” It “establishes national policy, sets and enforces standards, educates, and conducts research to prevent incidents.”

PHMSA regulates America’s 2.6 million mile pipeline transportation system and the “nearly 1 million daily shipments of hazardous materials by land, sea, and air.”

As part of its regulatory system, PHMSA ensures that pipeline systems are safe and secure. This includes the strict regulation of carbon capture pipelines that employ tested technology to transport and store carbon dioxide emissions underground safely. 

For more information about the Summit Carbon Solutions Project, click here.

About Carbon Capture, Transportation, and Storage Projects

Why is capturing, transporting, and storing carbon safe?2023-05-26T10:23:17-05:00

  • Carbon capture systems are governed by regulatory agencies and experts. Where the projects go, how they are planned, and how they operate are constantly reviewed and monitored.
  • The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is part of the United States Department of Transportation and ensures “the safe, reliable, and environmentally-sound operation of the nation’s natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline transportation system.”
  • PHMSA regulates America’s 2.6 million mile pipeline transportation system and the “nearly 1 million daily shipments of hazardous materials by land, sea, and air.”
  • As part of its regulatory system, PHMSA makes certain that pipeline systems are safe and secure. This includes the strict regulation of carbon capture pipelines that employ tested technology to safely transport and store carbon dioxide emissions underground. This has been proven safe for 45 years.
  • Through a variety of technologies, there has been successful monitoring of CO2 storage site through its entire lifecycle of capturing to post-injection.
  • To date, there has been no significant leak of CO2 from a CCS facility or pipeline.
  • Additionally, the Safe Drinking Water Act and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Underground Injection Control Program maintain safety requirements on the injection of carbon dioxide in the United States.
Who uses carbon capture, where does it happen, and what industries are using it?2023-05-26T10:21:12-05:00

  • CO2 is released through the burning of fossil fuels, production of clean hydrogen, and the processing of natural gas.
  • Additionally, industrial plants that are vital to our economy (such as steel mills, cement plants, petrochemical facilities, etc.) are responsible for more than 25 percent of energy-related CO2 emissions around the world.
    • In some cases, CO2 emissions are a co-product of these processes rather than the result of burning fossil fuels in the production process.
    • There are 51 large-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) facilities (around the world.
    • Twenty-six commercial-scale carbon capture projects are operating around the world with 21 more in early development and 13 in advanced development reaching front end engineering design (FEED).
    • In total, there are 100 CCS facilities in operation or at some stage of development globally.
  • The first CCS facility has been in operation since 1972 and is located in Texas where natural gas plants have captured and stored more than 2002 million tons of CO2.
How is carbon stored and what is the process?2023-05-26T10:20:33-05:00

  • The carbon dioxide, is injected into rock formations such as depleted oil and gas reservoirs or saline aquifers, which need to be at least 1 kilometer (.62 miles) underground, where it will be permanently stored.
  • Furthermore, this process permanently removes it from the atmosphere.
  • This process has been do safely, for over 50 years.
    • The rock formations used to store CO2 are the same as those that naturally housed fossil fuels for millions of years.
How is carbon dioxide captured and how is it transported?2023-05-26T10:20:02-05:00

  • Facilities, such as an ethanol plant, utilize innovative and advanced technologies to capture carbon dioxide (CO2).  The valuable co-product is purified by separation from other gases, and is then diverted to prevent CO2 from being emitted into the air.
    • These proven technologies capture over 90 percent of CO2 emitted – a meaningful way to help the environment.
  • Liquid CO2 requires less space than gasified CO2, so the captured CO2 is often compressed by increasing pressure so that it acts like a liquid. The compressed liquid is then dehydrated and sent to transport.
  • The newly compressed CO2 is then transported – typically via an underground pipeline or ship.
  • Currently, there are nearly 5,000 miles of pipeline available for transporting CO2, but more will soon be needed.
  • Unlike many other gases or substances that are transported by pipelines, the compressed CO2 is not flammable or explosive when mixed with air, making it safer to transport.

What Benefits Are Created by Capturing Carbon Dioxide?

How important is carbon capture to energy production and our overall economy?2023-05-26T10:24:29-05:00

  • The reality is that coal and natural gas will continue to be the fuel sources to generate nearly 60 percent of global electricity. They also generate as much as 40 percent of carbon emissions around the world.
  • Implementing carbon capture technologies will allow critically important coal and gas-fired power plants to continue providing reliable, lower cost power sources while also reducing the overall carbon emissions being created in the process.
  • This is the only technology that make it possible for large industrial plants to reduce overall emissions, proving it vital to our overall economy.
  • Not capturing carbon creates the risk that governmental limitations and restrictions may being placed on vital industrial facilities.
  • Billions have already been allocated towards decarbonization pilot projects, with additional investments on the horizon.
  • CCS projects will allow for the continued strong and stable ability to produce ethanol, thereby supporting a vibrant and growing Midwest agriculture economy and the maintenance of a healthy, safe, and thriving standard of living throughout the Midwest.
What is the impact of carbon capture for ethanol and the agriculture marketplace?2023-12-07T16:03:51-06:00

  • Agriculture and the agriculture economy are key pillars supporting Main Street America, the Midwest economy, and way of life.
  • Ethanol production remains critically important to Midwest agriculture because it ensures an additional market for the corn we grow that supports farms and farmers and our communities.
  • Carbon capture will help bolster a strong future for the industry and region
  • To date, the ethanol industry alone supports over 350,000 jobs and contributes more than $57 billion to our nation’s GDP.
    • The ethanol industry is also responsible for purchasing half of the corn produced across the country.
  • CCS projects will create a long-term benefit for the ethanol and agriculture industries by making sure ethanol has access to markets and fuel standards continue to change across the country – strengthening the marketplace for these industries.
What is the direct impact from carbon capture projects in terms of jobs and spending?2023-05-26T10:23:42-05:00

  • Carbon capture projects lead to billions of dollars in investment, creation of thousands of direct jobs, protection of key parts of America’s economy and the generation of millions of dollars in tax revenue.
  • Additionally, CCS projects have an incredible ripple effect, benefitting local economies, supporting local suppliers, and boosting communities throughout the region.
  • For example, a study detailing the scope and impact of the Summit Carbon Solutions CCS project shows that in the construction phase, there would be an overall investment of $4.5 billion, $2.1 billion spent on suppliers, contractors, etc., the creation of over 11,000 jobs, and nearly $400 million in local, state and federal taxes.
  • Long-term, maintaining the operations of a project like this would lead to over 1,100 jobs and nearly $100 million in annual tax revenue.

Where Is Carbon Capture Being Used and How Important Is It for Addressing Climate Change?

What does the future look like for carbon capture?2023-05-26T10:25:42-05:00

  • Because fossil fuels will continue to be an integral part of our energy sector for the foreseeable future, carbon capture will become the only significant way to make sure we are doing everything we can to reduce emissions.
  • Research is underway to find additional uses for carbon emissions. Some possibilities include: jet fuel, automobile seats, building materials, as well as transforming carbon emissions into algae biofuels.
How can carbon capture help address and meet climate change goals?2023-05-26T10:25:24-05:00

  • To be able to meet climate goals, focusing only on renewable energy is not enough. An “All of the above” approach is warranted.
  • This is where carbon capture comes in. The only way to meet these future goals surrounding emissions is to today capture, transport and store carbon.
  • Implementing carbon capture technologies will allow coal and gas-fired power plants to continue providing reliable, lower cost power sources as the green energy transition continues while making it possible to reduce the overall carbon emissions being created in the process.
  • Carbon capture technologies are the only proven way to make sure America can meet the goal of reducing of greenhouse gases required by 2050.
  • According to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fifth Assessment Report, models without carbon capture lead to costs associated with reducing emissions increasing by 138 percent.
Which industries and locations are using carbon capture?2023-05-26T10:24:54-05:00

  • CO2 is released through the burning of fossil fuels, production of clean hydrogen, natural gas processing and more.
  • Additionally industrial plants that are vital to our economy (such as steel mills, cement plants, petrochemical facilities, etc.) are responsible for more than 25 percent of energy-related CO2 emissions around the world.
    • In some cases, CO2 emissions are a by-product of these processes rather than the result of burning fossil fuels in the production process.
  • There are 51 large-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) facilities around the world.
  • The first CCS has been in operation since 1972 and is located in Texas where natural gas plants have captured and stored more than 2002 million tons of CO2.

Who opposes these projects, and why?

What are opposition groups doing to stop carbon capture projects?2023-05-26T10:27:01-05:00

  • These groups continue to employee questionable tactics to prevent CCS projects from moving forward.
Who is funding these groups and why?2023-05-26T10:26:39-05:00

  • While these groups often claim to represent local voices, the money behind them shows a different story.
  • Some of the major funders of these “environmentalist” groups are:
    • California-based Compton Foundation
    • Patagonia Org
    • Silicon Valley Community Foundation
    • Parks Foundation
    • Tides Foundation
    • Coastal grant makers, including:
      • The Marty and Dorothy Silverman Foundation
      • The Annenberg Foundation
      • The McCune Foundation
Who are the groups opposed to carbon capture projects for ethanol?2023-05-26T10:26:07-05:00

  • Numerous radical “environmental” groups are opposed to CCS projects.
  • The multi-million dollar organizations opposing CCS projects are operating in a fantasy world. CCS is a proven, safe, and reliable way to reduce carbon emissions and protect our environment today and for the future.
  • As much as these groups would like the use of fossil fuels to come to an immediate end, that is simply not realistic. CCS allows for the reduction of carbon emissions while efforts are made to be less reliant on these traditional fuels.
  • Some of the groups opposed to carbon capture projects are:
    • Sierra Club
    • Bold Alliance
    • Food and Water Watch
    • Land Stewardship Project

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