Midwest farmers clash over $8 billion carbon pipeline plan

USAgNet - 04/15/2024

In 2021, Summit Carbon Solutions introduced a plan to construct the world's largest carbon capture-and-storage system across America's Corn Belt. This $8 billion project aims to enhance demand for corn by capturing emissions from ethanol production, a critical move as the US ethanol market faces competition and declining demand due to the rise of electric vehicles.

The pipeline, intended to stretch over 500 additional miles through five states to store carbon in North Dakota, has not been universally welcomed. The project has faced regulatory hurdles and strong opposition from farmers concerned about land rights and safety. This opposition has led Summit to revise the pipeline's path multiple times, delaying the expected start to 2026 and significantly increasing project costs.

Despite potential benefits like boosting the corn market and creating jobs, the initiative has struggled to gain full support from the communities it would affect. Farmers like Carol Kapperman and Joy Hohn from South Dakota express significant resistance, citing inadequate compensation offers and safety risks.

As the debate continues, industry leaders argue the pipeline is crucial for keeping US agriculture competitive on a global scale, especially against countries like Brazil. The opposition remains firm, with some farmers reconsidering their support for the ethanol industry itself.

Summit has since adjusted its approach, engaging more cooperatively with landowners to find acceptable routes and solutions, but whether this will be enough to overcome the mounting challenges remains to be seen.

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