Ethanol plants create a lot of carbon dioxide when they make ethanol and other corn-derived products. One way to reduce CO2 emissions in Iowa is to transport excess CO2 via pipeline to another location.
According to agripulse.com the initial project proposed by Summit Carbon Solutions Midwest Carbon Express would impact approximately 3,000 parcels of land in the state. The Navigator CO2 Ventures Heartland Greenway pipe, which is backed both by BlackRock Real Assets as well as a newly announced project by Wolf Carbon Solutions and ADM, are the two other.
The Des Moines Register, reported it would span across 36 counties in Iowa extend into Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota and South Dakota.
Kirkwood Community College Professor Fred Ochs discussed the pipeline ADM (an ethanol manufacturing company located in Cedar Rapids, along Highway 30), is building in southeast Cedar Rapids.
He suggested that one way to deal with excess CO2 is to store it underground, at least thousands of feet. This would reduce the amount of CO2 that is released into the atmosphere. Instead, it would be stored in landfill-like conditions where it won’t be an issue in the future.
Another option is to sell the CO2 directly to oil drilling companies. These companies are mostly located in Texas and would use the pressurized carbon dioxide to perform enhanced recovery. Enhanced Recovery is a method for oil drilling that injects pressurized carbon dioxide into oil reservoirs below ground. This allows companies extract more oil than normal and at a quicker rate.
Ochs stated that these companies will no doubt be looking to maximize income and it would be a disadvantageous to include proper disposal. This would mean that they would allow CO2 to seep into our atmosphere and cause the same problem elsewhere.
There is also opposition along the pipeline route. Farmers from Iowa to Texas have asked companies not to cross their land for the construction of the pipeline. Ochs explained that eminent domain permits the state or national government, if authorized, to acquire privately-owned land at market value. Although this action is often done with the greater good in view, it does not negate the rights of farmers.
According to the Linn County website, the Linn County Board of Supervisors wrote a letter to Iowa Utilities Board opposing the use of eminent Domain by Summit Carbon Solutions, LLC, and Navigator HeartlandGreenway CO2 pipeline projects.
