EXTRACTED: Daily News Clips 8/30/22
PIPELINE NEWS
Reuters: Canada invokes pipeline treaty with U.S. over Wisconsin Line 5 dispute
Natural Gas World: CANADA’S COASTAL GASLINK NEARING 70% COMPLETION
East Oregonian: Environmental group challenges new gas pipeline, generator
WAND: Christian County leaders, environmentalists concerned about proposed CO2 pipeline
Quad City Times: Wolf CO2 pipeline public meetings this week in Scott, Clinton counties
KWWL: Company behind carbon pipeline gives answers for homeowners with concerns
South Dakota Standard: Plan to construct CO-2 pipeline through South Dakota threatens property rights and could pose health risk as well
S&P Global: Magellan to increase scope of El Paso refined products pipeline expansion
WASHINGTON UPDATES
E&E News: Manchin permitting deal offers mixed bag for mining
STATE UPDATES
Casper Star-Tribune: LaBarge carbon storage project wins federal approval
EXTRACTION
Reuters: Explainer: How industry is depending on carbon capture technology for climate goals
Reuters: Equinor, Wintershall Dea eye pipeline to capture CO2 under North Sea
OPINION
CT Mirror: Opposition must kill the Mountain Valley Pipeline
The Hill: Republicans must come to the table on common-sense climate policy
PIPELINE NEWS
Reuters: Canada invokes pipeline treaty with U.S. over Wisconsin Line 5 dispute
Ismail Shakil, 8/29/22
“Canada has invoked a 1977 pipeline treaty with the United States for the second time in less than a year, in this case to prevent a shutdown of Enbridge Inc's (ENB.TO) Line 5 pipeline in Wisconsin, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said on Monday,” Reuters reports. “The Bad River Band, a Native American tribe in northern Wisconsin, wants the 1953 pipeline shut down and removed from its reservation because of the risk of a leak and expired easements, which are land use agreements between Enbridge and the tribe. In May, Enbridge filed a motion in a U.S. district court saying federal law prohibits attempts to stop the pipeline's operations. The motion sought to dismiss some of Bad River Band's claims. The company said in a statement on Monday that it "remains open to resolving this matter amicably" and was pursuing permits to re-route Line 5 around the Bad River Reservation. The Band River Band could not immediately be reached for comment… “Joly told Reuters Canada was "worried about the domino effects the shutdown would have" on jobs. "The shutdown could have a major impact on a number of communities on both sides of the border that depend on the wellbeing of businesses along the supply chain," she told Reuters.
Natural Gas World: CANADA’S COASTAL GASLINK NEARING 70% COMPLETION
DALE LUNAN, 8/29/22
“Coastal GasLink (CGL), the 670-km pipeline project that will deliver 2.1bn ft3/day of natural gas to the LNG Canada export terminal on BC’s northern coast, said August 28 it was nearing 70% completion, with nearly 6,000 workers employed along the right-of-way,” Natural Gas World reports. “Overall progress (engineering, procurement and construction) on the pipeline is rated at 69%, with construction progress at 62.8%, CGL said in its August construction update. As of the end of July, 5,706 workers were listed across the length of the pipeline right-of-way… “Two of eight construction spreads are reporting 100% pipe installation, but Section 7, across disputed Wet’suwet’en traditional territory south of Houston, in central BC, has yet to see any pipe installed, although clearing is approaching 97% completion and about 31% of the 77-km spread has been graded… “The pipeline, now carrying an estimated cost of C$11.6bn (US$8.9bn), is expected to be mechanically complete by the end of next year.”
East Oregonian: Environmental group challenges new gas pipeline, generator
8/29/22
“The environmental group Columbia Riverkeeper announced Aug. 26 it filed a petition challenging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s approval of the Coyote Springs Cogeneration Project near Boardman, Ore.,” the East Oregonian reports. “According to state and federal energy department documents, the $32.5 million gas pipeline compressor station would operate on a 22-acre site at the Port of Morrow Industrial Park… “Columbia Riverkeeper contended approving new gas infrastructure is inconsistent with Oregon’s and Washington’s climate goals calling for a rapid reduction in fossil fuel use… “Our communities are already feeling the impacts of climate change,” Maig Tinnin from community organization Rogue Climate told the EO. “The only way to meet our climate goals is to stop building new fossil fuel infrastructure and to transition to clean energy and greater energy efficiency.” The Coyote Springs station would result “in more annual greenhouse gas pollution than all commercial buildings in the state of Washington,” according to Columbia Riverkeeper. FERC released its approval of the Coyote Springs compressor station on July 28. The agency has 30 days to respond to Columbia Riverkeeper’s petition for rehearing.”
WAND: Christian County leaders, environmentalists concerned about proposed CO2 pipeline
Alyssa Patrick, 8/29/22
“A pipeline to collect five million metric tons of carbon dioxide, each year, could be coming to Illinois,” WAND reports. ”...But all the collected carbon dioxide has to go somewhere. The Navigator Pipeline would take CO2 from factories in midwest, and push it down a pipeline- preventing it from being released into the atmosphere. The CO2 would then be injected underground in Christian County. "We're being used as a trash bucket for five states worth of CO2. There's only 1 pick up point in Illinois.// So what's the advantage to Illinois to being a trash bucket for five states worth of CO2," Kathleen Campbell, an organizer with the Coalition to Stop CO2 Pipelines told WAND News… “The Christian County Board has passed a six month moratorium to pause the project. "To give the attorneys a chance to see what all the state and federal laws say, to see what we can and cannot do to protect the citizens of the county," County Chairman Matt Wells told WAND. Wells, and environmental advocates, are concerned the proposed plan would inject CO2 right under and existing aquifer. "The original plan for the carbon wells showed one of the wells going right through the middle of the aquifer. That to me is totally unacceptable. We drink that water from Decatur to Raymond, Illinois," Wells told WAND. "Any leak in the shale or rocks down there, it will find its way out. If it hits water- and since they are going under the aquifer that's where it would hit- it forms carbonic acid," Campbell told WAND.Campbell fears if there was to be a leak in the pipe, it could be a major danger for the many communities the pipeline would run through… “Wells told WAND right now he feels the cons simply outweigh the pros.”
Quad City Times: Wolf CO2 pipeline public meetings this week in Scott, Clinton counties
Sarah Watson, 8/29/22
“Eastern Iowans can voice their opinions this week on a proposed carbon pipeline that's expected to route through Clinton and Scott counties,” the Quad City Times reports. “...A presentation filed by Wolf Carbon Solutions emphasizes voluntary negotiations with land owners, rather than use of eminent domain. The company pointed to another pipeline the company's affiliate owns and operates called the Alberta Carbon Trunk Line. The company said the pipeline started operating in 2020 and was "voluntarily negotiated with landowners and rights-holders without using the right of eminent domain or condemnation." “...Hundreds of objections have been filed with the Iowa Utilities Board against the Wolf pipeline since the company first applied for public meetings in late June, some of which addressed other pipeline projects. In a meeting earlier this year with the Scott County Supervisors, a Wolf company representative, Nick Noppinger, assured supervisors that the company did not plan to use eminent domain to seize land. He told supervisors the company tried to provide incentives for landowners' support, and without it, they would try to build around. Several supervisors at the time questioned whether the pipeline makes economic and environmental sense if the U.S. moves away from fossil fuels and toward electric vehicles. The Iowa Sierra Club opposes the pipeline and other carbon pipelines like it, arguing that subsidies that would support the project would be better spent with renewable energy projects rather than what they say is unproven technology.”
KWWL: Company behind carbon pipeline gives answers for homeowners with concerns
Max Tedford, 8/26/22
“Navigator, the Heartland Greenway Pipeline’s parent company, claims the pipeline will be a benefit for Iowans. However, many homeowners who attended public input meetings the week of August 22nd see too many risks,” KWWL reports. “If there is a gas leak it’s just gonna be right all around my house," One home owner said at a Wednesday meeting in Butler County. "How am I gonna get away? Are you gonna be there to help me get away? Are you… how about you? “ “...That emergency has already taken place for about 15 minutes by the time somebody is on scene… and these people’s houses are only a quarter mile away,” One resident said. According to recent research from Congress, leaking carbon dioxide has been reported to cause nausea, vomiting and even death… “Burns-Thompson told KWWL overall Navigator wants to work with Iowans, especially land owners. “Eminent domain and pure condemnation doesn’t make much sense from a business perspective," she told KWWL. "It doesn’t save us time, it doesn’t save us money, and it doesn’t make us any friends. Those are all critical tenets to being good partners and good business operators.”
South Dakota Standard: Plan to construct CO-2 pipeline through South Dakota threatens property rights and could pose health risk as well
8/29/22
“Landowners in eight South Dakota counties (Minnehaha, Lincoln, Lake, Beadle, Spink, Brown, Edmunds and McPherson) have filed suit against Summit Carbon Solutions, one of two corporations seeking to build highly concentrated CO-2 pipelines (like the one shown above in a Maria de Jesus photo published by the Houston Chronicle) across South Dakota, in an effort to stop corporate agents from entering their land for surveying purposes without their permission,” the South Dakota Standard reports. “They allege that the state law which allows this practice violates the due process clause of both the state and federal constitutions… “Ed Fischbach of Mellette is one of the South Dakota farmers whose land is in the path of Summit's CO-2 pipeline, and he is fighting back. One big concern is safety, since CO-2 in concentrated form is highly deadly and is used by packing plants to euthanize livestock. “It’s not a safe product. If it leaks, it could kill all our livestock, or even kill people, if they’re within half a mile” of the leak, Fischbach said during an interview for this column. He does not like Summit's tactics of “threats and intimidation,” as they have warned farmers in their path that they will come, “the easy way or the hard way” but cannot be stopped. Predictably, the pipeline would cut across quarter sections diagonally, not respecting section lines, and would disrupt well-established farming operations. Fischbach and other farmers also resent the notion of eminent domain for private corporations, as opposed to a public purpose like a highway. “No eminent domain for private gain” has become their rallying cry. Dakota Rural Action, a well-established organization of South Dakotans that has often fought for the rights of farmers and ranchers, is hoping to reform South Dakota's eminent domain statutes in next year's legislative session.”
S&P Global: Magellan to increase scope of El Paso refined products pipeline expansion
Jordan Blum, 8/29/22
“Magellan Midstream Partners said Aug. 29 it would increase the scope of its planned refined products pipeline network expansion in Texas from the Houston area to El Paso, adding an additional pipeline and capacity from the initial project,” S&P Global reports. “The expansion would increase capacity by 30,000 b/d to 100,000 b/d in part by building a new 16-inch, 30-mile pipeline between Odessa and Crane, Texas in the Permian Basin, as well as additional storage facilities. The original plan was to hike capacity up to 85,000 b/d, but Magellan said extra customer interest sparked the increased scope of the project. The overall project increases pipeline capacity along 265 miles from Odessa to El Paso. The project also would take advantage of underutilized pipeline capacity from the Houston oil-refining network to the Odessa hub. The pipeline system primarily moves gasoline and diesel fuel from US Gulf Coast refineries to El Paso, with further pipeline access into New Mexico, and connections to third-party pipelines to Arizona and Mexico.”
WASHINGTON UPDATES
E&E News: Manchin permitting deal offers mixed bag for mining
Jael Holzman, 8/29/22
“Mining companies have longed to get a fix for their federal permitting problems. But some legal experts say they shouldn’t hold out hope that those issues will go away with a new permitting reform proposal making its way through Congress,” E&E News reports. “...Yet legal experts who reviewed the outline said mining companies really shouldn’t expect too much from Manchin’s deal. According to the outline, the proposal would set one- to two-year mandatory timelines for completing environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act and require the president to designate and prioritize reviewing projects of “strategic national importance” — including mining projects. It would also set a one-year deadline for issuing permits related to Clean Water Act compliance and a statute of limitations for legal challenges against permits. These provisions are vehemently opposed by many environmental groups that say they would wipe away regulations local communities can use to try to stop projects they oppose. Earthworks, a nongovernmental organization that advocates on behalf of people impacted by mining, said in a recent blog post the deal “is an attempt to stymie opportunities for communities to voice their opinion on projects that will directly impact them.” Attorneys who work on federal permitting for mines described the outline in interviews as a mixed bag: Tighter deadlines to complete reviews, they told E&E, won’t end the bureaucratic hurdles that cause delays to construction. “It would be misleading if we suggested that this is going to open up a lot of mines,” Karen Bennett, a partner and co-chair of the environmental and administrative law practice at Washington firm Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP, told E&E… “But the deal’s primary focus on timelines on environmental reviews — instead of substantive changes to the factors actually considered by the government — could wind up adding a complication for mine approvals… “Arbitrary constraints on the environmental review process have a history of creating new legal vulnerabilities for the government’s analysis. It’s a wrinkle similar to when the Interior Department created a page limit for documents related to the government’s analysis of a project’s impacts.”
STATE UPDATES
Casper Star-Tribune: LaBarge carbon storage project wins federal approval
Nicole Pollack, 8/27/22
“A Wyoming gas plant’s carbon storage project became the first planned injection well to be greenlit by the Bureau of Land Management, the agency announced Friday,” the Casper Star-Tribune reports. “Natural gas trapped in the LaBarge oilfield, near ExxonMobil’s Shute Creek Gas Plant, contains a usually high proportion of carbon dioxide. The facility separates and sells millions of tons of the carbon dioxide produced from drilling each year, primarily for enhanced oil recovery, a process that uses the gas to force more oil out of depleted reservoirs. “This project is a prime example of how the BLM can work together with industry leaders to combat climate change,” Andrew Archuleta, the agency’s Wyoming director, said in a written statement. The plant is already responsible for close to 20% of all human-made carbon captured annually, according to Exxon, which announced last October that it had finalized plans to increase capture capacity by about 15% and begin storing some of that carbon dioxide underground… “At present, roughly half of the carbon dioxide Exxon extracts near Shute Creek is unsold and ultimately released into the atmosphere, according to a March report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis… “By expanding carbon capture and storage at LaBarge, we can reduce emissions from our operations and continue to demonstrate the large-scale capability for carbon capture and storage to address emissions from vital sectors of the global economy, including industrial manufacturing,” ExxonMobil spokesman Todd Spitler said in an email to the Star-Tribune.
EXTRACTION
Reuters: Explainer: How industry is depending on carbon capture technology for climate goals
Cassandra Garrison, 8/29/22
“Norwegian carbon dioxide (CO2) storage company Northern Lights and its owners have agreed to store emissions captured at fertiliser-maker Yara's (YAR.OL) Dutch operation from 2025 in what they say is a commercial breakthrough for the business,” Reuters reports. “...Industries from cement to mining are creating plans to cap and cut their planet-warming emissions, and many depend on carbon capture… “Captured CO2 usually is permanently stored underground, although carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) reuses the CO2. Several groups see a need for billions of tonnes of storage by mid-century; Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM.N) expects a $2 trillion market by 2040… “Until recently, capturing carbon produced by fossil fuels and injecting it underground has largely been a means to squeeze more oil from aging wells. There are several proposals to build CCS hubs, but few have gone beyond the development stage. Now, numerous large energy companies are incorporating CCS into their plans for reducing emissions, but the lack of carbon trading markets or tax incentives to make the investment worthwhile has held back U.S. development.”
Reuters: Equinor, Wintershall Dea eye pipeline to capture CO2 under North Sea
8/30/22
“Equinor and Wintershall Dea will jointly develop carbon capture and storage projects, the oil firms said on Tuesday, with ideas to build a pipeline from Germany to Norway to transport and store carbon dioxide (CO2) under the North Sea,” Reuters reports. “The firms would work together to establish technical and commercial solutions for the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) across borders in Europe, they said… “The project would also consider another solution where CO2 is transported by ship from Germany to Norway… “The move comes a day after Equinor, Shell (SHEL.L) and TotalEnergies (TTEF.PA) signed their first commercial deal to transport CO2 emitted by a Yara (YAR.OL) fertiliser plant and store it under the North Sea… “However, there are few commercial projects in existence. In addition, some environmentalists say that CCS prolongs the age of burning hydrocarbons for energy and that the world needs to shift to renewables.”
OPINION
CT Mirror: Opposition must kill the Mountain Valley Pipeline
Melinda Tuhus, 8/30/22
“For six years, Connecticut residents in Killingly, the small northeastern towns around it, and eventually climate-concerned Nutmeggers around the state, fought NTE’s proposed fracked gas power plant, and won,” CT Mirror reports. “For eight years, homeowners, climate activists, people of science and people of faith have been fighting to stop the Mountain Valley pipeline (MVP), a 42-inch diameter fracked gas pipeline that has been built out in segments across 303 miles of West Virginia and southwestern Virginia. It would have been completed by now, but the consortium of companies building it lost the permits they had to cross hundreds of rivers and streams and the steepest mountainsides, due to their egregious violations of environmental laws, leading to a two-year pause in construction. This has become a national fight that we must win. I joined these courageous folks for a drive/walk along the pipeline in May and June as part of the Walk for Appalachia’s Future. Along the way, we met people who have organized their neighbors, testified at hearings, sued to stop the pipeline, and disrupted construction through creative non-violent direct actions such as tree-sitting along the route… “This is a “must stop” fight. If Congress passes this bill, it will go a long way toward negating the positive climate elements in the IRA. The “Appalachian Resistance” and their supporters will be rolling into D.C. on September 8 to lobby their legislators and raise a ruckus at a rally afterward. I’ll be there. Why don’t you join me?”
The Hill: Republicans must come to the table on common-sense climate policy
Gary Rappeport is on the board of both the Environmental Defense Fund Action and the American Conservation Coalition, 8/26/22
“This summer, there have been record temperatures almost everywhere in the world,” Gary Rappeport writes for The Hill. “...Amidst all this, the discourse between Republicans and Democrats on advancing even modest climate policy, like tax incentives to accelerate the adoption of renewable technologies, has become an ever-widening chasm. Ahead of the 2022 midterms, Republican leadership is seizing a unique opportunity to frame the Democratic Party as a group of extremists using climate as a way to tax oil and gas out of existence and raise not only energy prices, but inflation as well. With the passage of the recent Inflation Reduction Act, some prominent Republicans even compared the climate portions to the extreme Green New Deal… “As a Republican and an environmentalist, I continue to be disappointed and frustrated with my party’s sarcastic tone on climate, and I am not alone. Young voters, aged 18 to 35, are becoming one of the largest voting blocs in the country, and the Republican Party risks permanently alienating them if climate continues to stay on the backburner. As these young voters start to become more active politically, Republican leadership needs to figure out the calculus here pretty quickly or find the math will not add up well for future elections. Neither Republicans nor Democrats want to live in a world where the environment has become inhospitable as a result of extreme temperatures and frequent fires, droughts and hurricanes. Ironically, those who live in red states in the South and West have the most to lose from the effects of climate change. It’s time for Republicans in those states and across the country to stop being obstructionists and lead on climate — before it’s too late to put out the fire.”