Summit Carbon Solutions Promises Economic, Agricultural, Environmental Benefits With New Pipeline

(Editor’s note: This is the first in a three-part series on the proposed five-state pipeline from Summit Carbon Solutions. This issue will cover background information and the project’s promised benefits, with the perspectives of Dakota Ethanol and local landowners to be discussed in subsequent issues.)

Headquartered in Ames, Iowa, Summit Carbon Solutions (SCS) was established in early 2021. Since then, the company has been making progress toward the creation of what would be the largest carbon capture and storage project in the world.

“Summit Carbon Solutions was formed to open new economic opportunities for ethanol producers and strengthen the ag economy that is so critical to families and communities across the Midwest,” Summit Carbon Solutions CEO Lee Blank said.

The $4.5 billion project is currently designed to encompass approximately 2,000 miles of pipeline across Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska (474.93 in S.D.). Funding was obtained through partnerships with 32 ethanol plants throughout these five states, including Lake County’s Dakota Ethanol.

The pipeline itself will be placed four feet underground and will be constructed with externally coated high-strength steel specifically designed to accommodate the immense pressure of traveling carbon dioxide. Wall thickness will range from 0.189 to 0.75 inches, with diameters ranging from four to 24 inches.

Despite controversy from local landowners, the project is promising economic, agricultural and environmental benefits for the 82 counties involved. Another promised benefit is a drastic reduction in the carbon footprint of ethanol production, as well as enhancing the long-term economic viability of the ethanol and agricultural industries at large.

To read the rest of this article, please visit its original source at The Madison Daily Reader