Community members gathered in Guthrie County for an informational meeting about Summit Carbon Solutions’ expansion proposal. (Photo courtesy of the Sierra Club Iowa Chapter)
Summit Carbon Solutions recently finished a round of mandatory public information meetings in Iowa counties that will be affected by the second phase of the company’s proposed carbon pipeline.
Despite the lengthy and widely attended meetings, some community members said they were unsatisfied with answers from Summit Carbon representatives.
Kathy Carter, an affected landowner from Floyd County who has been a vocal opponent of the pipeline, said in an email to the Capital Dispatch, “Summit excels at either simply not answering questions, or doing so in such a way as to leave the heart of the question unanswered and people confused.”
A number of citizens have submitted customer objections to the Iowa Utilities Commission with complaints about the Summit Carbon’s responses to community questions.
Sabrina Zenor, the director of corporate communications and stakeholder engagement for Summit Carbon Solutions, said the Summit team did a “great job engaging with the public.”
“It’s our responsibility to answer public questions and participate in informational meetings, ensuring communities have access to essential information,” Zenor said in an emailed statement.
Iowa Capital Dispatch received numerous emails from readers with questions about the pipeline and the public information meetings, which have been gathered and condensed for clarity here.
Summit Carbon Solutions and the Iowa Utilities Commission provided emailed responses to the questions.
Summit Carbon Solutions responded to the following questions, unless otherwise noted.
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Who are Summit Carbon’s co-founders?
Context: Readers noted that Bruce Rastetter, founder of Summit Agricultural Group, has been listed as a “co-founder” of Summit Carbon Solutions, in various articles, but they have never seen mention of other co-founders. Summit Carbon was founded by Summit Agricultural Group, spearheaded by Rastetter.
Do you have a published list of project funders?
How many Iowa residents does Summit Carbon assume would be employed during the construction phase?
Does Summit have plume modeling that would show the areas that would be impacted by potential leaks or fractures? And will that information be made available to affected communities?
We follow all federal and state requirements, including those set by (U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration) PHMSA, (Transportation Security Administration) TSA, and state utility commissions.
Dispersion models incorporate complex, technical analysis based on a multitude of assumptions. These model outputs are essential for determining risk in High Consequence Areas (HCA), as defined by PHMSA. Summit Carbon Solutions’ dispersion modeling is regulated and auditable by PHMSA. We go above and beyond by modeling across the entire pipeline system versus only in HCAs, which allows us to design safety features and protective measures into the pipeline design, construction, and operation. This includes placing the pipe at a lower depth, implementing closer valve spacing in HCAs, employing a state-of-the-art leak detection system, and conducting 100% non-destructive testing of welds.
Dispersion models also guide the development of our integrity management program (IMP) to ensure safe and reliable operation of the pipelines. IMP examples include cathodic protection, periodic in-line inspections (using smart tools), aerial inspections, and depth of cover surveys. Additionally, the outputs from dispersion models are used to develop emergency response plans with first responders. This planning is done for every mile of the pipeline, not just for High Consequence Areas.
Furthermore, the outputs inform our public awareness programs, which educate people about the properties and characteristics of CO2, the hazards associated with the pipeline, preventative measures, leak recognition and response, one-call requirements, and how to contact the pipeline company. This information is shared with people along the route, the general public, local officials, emergency responders, and excavation contractors.
Dispersion modeling is also used as a risk analysis tool to assess security risks to the pipeline system through Security Vulnerability Assessments, helping us harden facilities where necessary.
Summit Carbon recently announced a “Fall Safety Tour” of public events throughout the month of November.
How long is Summit Carbon committed to operating this pipeline? Is there reassurance that this pipeline would always and only transport CO2 if Summit Carbon left?
How does Summit Carbon plan to continue communication with communities that will be affected by the pipeline? Will there be future outreach meetings beyond the ones required by IUC?
We are also continuing to organize meetings with emergency responders, county commissioners, and other local stakeholders. Summit Carbon Solutions is committed to fostering open and ongoing dialogue.
Looking ahead, we will maintain a strong commitment to public engagement by conducting a comprehensive public awareness campaign throughout the pipeline’s operation, in compliance with PHMSA’s regulatory requirements. Open communication will remain a priority as we move forward.
Will Summit Carbon seek well permits through any of the counties the pipeline would cross through?
If a leak in the pipeline were to occur, what is the emergency response protocol? Would this be from local first responders? And does Summit Carbon know how long it would take to respond to an event like this?
The pipeline system is equipped with a leak detection system, that continuously monitors the flow rate, temperature, and pressure of all segments of the pipeline. The leak detection system continuously communicates with a control center that is staffed 24/7/365. In the unlikely event of a pipeline release, various PHMSA regulations come into play. The control center has the ability to remotely shut down the pipeline and close valves to isolate the affected area. The control center is also required to notify first responders in the area. This will trigger the initiation of the Emergency Response Plan.
Each County will have a unique Emergency Response Plan based on the systems and capabilities of that specific County. The Emergency Response Plan will be developed and built out by Summit Carbon Solutions and First Responders. Compliant with PHMSA regulation, training, including Response Plan review, will be conducted for First Responders annually but not exceeding 15 months.
Local First Responders will be trained to carry out emergency procedures, understand the characteristics of CO2, recognize conditions that are likely to cause emergencies, and to take steps necessary to control the situation. Summit Carbon Solutions personnel that will live and work across the pipeline system, will also be trained as emergency responders. Similar to the Emergency Response Plan, a review of the training program and additional training will be completed at intervals not exceeding 15 months, but at least once each calendar year. Summit Carbon Solutions has already begun working with the Emergency Managers in each County to determine capabilities and who should attend these trainings.
The following questions were answered by Don Tormey, communications director for Iowa Utilities Commission.
Does the presiding commission member at the informational meetings have to submit any sort of report to the commissioners?
Does public comment at these meetings in any way go into the commission’s decision making process towards granting or denying a permit application?
At the start of every informational meeting, the IUC presiding officer will give a presentation about the IUC’s process for reviewing a proposed pipeline project. Part of the presentation addresses comments and those note that any affected landowner can file comments either for or against the proposed pipeline as part of the IUC’s review process, that phone calls or verbal communication will not be considered as part of the official docket record, and only written comments will be considered by the Commission. The presiding officer also informs meeting attendees that comments may be filed at any time in the docket and information is provided to all attendees on how to file a comment with the IUC and is also distributed to each attendee via a packet of IUC information materials.
What are the obligations of an applicant during mandatory informational outreach meetings? Do they just have to occur, or is the applicant, in this case Summit Carbon, obligated to answer and address public concerns?
Why are Iowa Utilities Commissioners not required to be at these events and hear concerns of the community?
Is there public record taken on behalf of IUC at these meetings? If no, why not?
Can the easements acquired by Summit be used for additional pipelines in the future? If yes, what would the process be if an additional pipeline wanted to use the easements?
How does the commission work to protect Iowans?
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