MOORHEAD — The environmental review for a section of proposed carbon capture pipeline in Otter Tail and Wilkin Counties in Minnesota is open for public comment through early September ahead of a permitting decision by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.
The
394-page final environmental impact statement
looks at an approximately 28-mile stretch of proposed
Summit Carbon Solutions
pipeline running from Green Plains ethanol plant in Fergus Falls to the North Dakota border, crossing south of Breckenridge, Minnesota.
The stretch is a section of an $8 billion project that would transport the carbon byproduct of ethanol fermentation from 57 ethanol plants across five states to underground storage wells northwest of Bismarck.
The environmental impact statement includes information on various human and environmental resources the project could affect, including infrastructure, local economies, soil and water.
The report says the project would provide net benefits on greenhouse gas emissions and have a beneficial effect on climate change as it captures and stores carbon dioxide emissions. It also acknowledges risks of a pipeline rupture, which it says could expose people and animals to levels of carbon dioxide that could cause death or injury. Depending on the location and extent of a rupture, it could have minimal to significant impacts, says the report.
CURE, a Minnesota environmental group that opposes the pipeline, raised concerns about the Department of Commerce report. During a Zoom webinar on Tuesday, Aug. 6, CURE said the final environmental impact statement does not have enough detail as the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission decides on granting a permit for the project.
“We’re seeing a lack of sufficient detail to allow the commission to make an informed decision,” said Sarah Mooradian, CURE government relations and policy director. “So that’s things like saying studies or surveys will be done, instead of saying, ‘We did the study, here’s what it says about potential impacts.’”
During its webinar, CURE argued the environmental impact statement does not include enough precise information about safety, water use, greenhouse gas emissions and potential impacts on groundwater and land.
Summit Carbon Solutions pushed back against claims that the report lacks detail in an emailed statement sent by Sabrina Zenor, director of corporate communications.
“Summit Carbon Solutions respects the comprehensive review process undertaken in the final Environmental Impact Statement and appreciate the thorough assessment of our project’s potential impacts,” read the statement. “We look forward to participating in the upcoming PUC hearings and are excited about the opportunities this project will create, including opening access to new markets for farmers and improving farm incomes.”
The west central Minnesota section of the pipeline is a small section of the proposed pipeline’s 2,500-mile footprint. It has a larger footprint in southern Minnesota, connecting with plants in Kandiyohi, Chippewa, Redwood, Jackson and Martin Counties. The pipeline would also run through South Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa.
The public comment period on the study is open until Sept. 11.
Before the public comment period closes, the Public Utilities Commission will be holding a
series of hearings
about the environmental impact statement.
It will be holding a public hearing in person at Bigwood Event Center in Fergus Falls at 6 p.m. on Aug. 20. An online hearing will be held at 6 p.m. on Aug. 21.
The Public Utilities Commission will also hold evidentiary hearings in St. Paul on Aug. 22 and 23. These hearings will not have speaking or commenting opportunities for members of the public.
The report says the Public Utilities Commission is expected to make a permit decision at the end of 2024.
The full final environmental impact statement and more information on hearings is available at
apps.commerce.state.mn.us/web/project/14959.
Ingrid Harbo joined The Forum in March 2024.
Harbo reports on Moorhead and Clay County news.
Readers can reach Harbo at 701-241-5526 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @ingridaharbo.
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Publish date : 2024-08-09 00:00:00
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