Summit pipeline faces appeal of state approval for CO2 pipeline

The Iowa company behind a proposed carbon dioxide pipeline spanning five states got a big boost recently with approval of a state route permit by the North Dakota Public Service Commission. The $8 billion pipeline would transport CO2 from 57 ethanol plants in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota to be disposed of underground near Bismarck.

“We commend and respect the North Dakota Public Service Commission for their diligence and thoughtful approach in reviewing this project,” said Wade Boeshans, Executive VP of Summit Carbon Solutions in a news release. “This decision is a testament to North Dakota’s commitment to fostering innovation while working closely with communities and industries. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with stakeholders across the state to deliver long-term benefits for farmers, energy producers, and local communities.”

After the PSC rejected Summit’s permit application last year, the company rerouted the pipeline further away from Bismarck. But, the Bismarck Tribune notes, not far enough to satisfy Burleigh County commissioners.

The County Commission has had contentious relations with Summit since 2022, when Summit initially proposed a route that would have seen the pipeline coming as close as 2 miles north and 3 miles east of Bismarck’s extraterritorial area.

After the PSC initially denied Summit’s permit last year, the company moved the proposed route to around 5 miles north of the extraterritorial area, but the east section of the route remained relatively the same. County officials still object to the project’s location.

The PSC effectively ruled the county’s ordinance was superseded by the state. As a result, KFYRR-TV says the Burleigh County Commission responded in kind by voting to appeal state approval of the route permit.

County Commissioner Wayne Munson said the PSC disregarded Burleigh County’s efforts to establish ordinances to keep the pipeline at least 10 miles away from Bismarck city limits and to move the route one to four miles away from county schools, homes, public recreation areas and other occupied structures, depending on the classification.

The permit approved by the PSC will allow the pipeline to be within a half mile of schools.

“The PSC ruled that our ordinances don’t need to be enforced. They are bypassing all of the work that we did to protect our residents, which is why we’ve decided to take this action against the PSC,” said Burleigh County Commissioner Wayne Munson.

It’s not clear how long the appeals process will take. Meantime, the state of South Dakota still has to approve the project before the Summit pipeline can begin construction.