Federal regulators have proposed new safety rules for carbon dioxide pipelines to enhance public safety and emergency response measures.
Jackson: The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, or PHMSA, just dropped some proposed rules for carbon dioxide pipelines. They’re aiming to tighten up safety measures, especially after some serious incidents in the past.
These new rules would cover CO2 transported in a supercritical liquid state and even set guidelines for pipelines carrying gaseous CO2 for the first time. It’s a big step forward!
PHMSA, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, said these proposals come after their biggest outreach campaign ever. They want to make sure that CO2 pipeline operators are ready for emergencies, which means training local first responders and giving them the right detection tools.
They’re also looking for more detailed analyses on how vapor spreads and better communication with the public if something goes wrong, like a leak or rupture. This is all about learning from past mistakes, especially a major pipeline rupture in Satartia, Mississippi.
Tristan Brown, the PHMSA Deputy Administrator, emphasized the need for stronger safety standards, saying these new rules will be the most comprehensive in the world. They’re trying to keep everyone safe while tackling climate issues.
There are also plans for new rules on converting existing pipelines to CO2 pipelines, which is pretty crucial as the demand for carbon capture and storage is expected to skyrocket by 2050.
Right now, the U.S. has over 5,000 miles of CO2 pipelines, and there’s a proposed project by Summit Carbon Solutions that would stretch about 2,500 miles across several states, moving carbon from ethanol plants to underground storage in North Dakota.
While Summit Carbon Solutions didn’t comment on the proposed rules, environmental groups like the Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club are keeping a close eye on how these rules will affect projects in their area.
Jess Mazour from the Sierra Club expressed relief that PHMSA is listening to community concerns about carbon pipelines. They hope the new administration will keep prioritizing public safety over corporate interests.
On the flip side, Tom Buis, CEO of the American Carbon Alliance, defended the safety of CO2 pipelines, saying they’re a reliable way to transport carbon compared to other methods. He believes these new rules will help the U.S. lead in safety and infrastructure for energy.
For those interested, the proposed rules are open for public comment for 60 days. After that, PHMSA will consider the feedback before finalizing the rules. You can submit comments on Regulations.gov once the proposal is published.
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