Norris continues to voice concern over carbon pipeline

Opposition is still being voiced in regards to the proposed Summit Carbon pipeline project.
The supervisors received an update from Riley Gibson, representing Turnkey Logistics, at the Nov. 15 meeting. Among the details shared by Gibson was that as of Nov. 9, easement miles acquired had increased to 61.65% of the county.
Red Oak resident Jan Norris, who was unable to attend the supervisors meeting in person, sent a letter to the supervisors where she voiced her continued concerns over the pipeline proposal, and highlighted the dangers of carbon pipelines.
“A test rupture showed C02 can spread 1,300 ft in 4 minutes. There was a CO2 line rupture in Mississippi in 2020. CO2 is heavier than air and it displaces oxygen. People up to a mile away were injured, some permanently. First responders and hospitals were neither trained nor prepared to help them,” Norris stated. “Emergency equipment would not operate without oxygen - ambulances wouldn’t run. Because of that accident, the regulatory agency, the Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s investigation, recognized its pipeline regulations are inadequate to protect the public and are currently re-writing its rules. But Summit won’t wait. They want to get their legacy exemption in place.”
Norris further stated that until PHMSA completes the long process of creating specific regulations for CO2 pipelines, our counties can take steps to protect its citizens by enacting local ordinances.
“Shelby County passed its pipeline ordinance early this month after considerable research, deliberation and collaboration with an experienced legal expert. They were careful to follow code on writing an ordinance and included reasonable requirements that can be substantiated in court. They fully anticipated being sued by Summit knowing it was a matter of when not if. Summit claims they are a ‘good neighbor;’ however, never spoke at any of the four public hearings, nor submitted written comments, then sued Shelby County as soon as they passed it. Call Steve Kenkel, he’ll tell you he isn’t worried,” commented Norris.
Norris added she believed the lawsuit wass to intimidate the other dozen or more counties looking at passing local ordinances
“Crawford County is continuing to move forward with theirs. Summit is making a case on Dec. 13 to the IUB that they shouldn’t be able to consider safety issues when deciding whether to grant this permit. Think about that; they want the state of Iowa to give them a permit for a hazardous liquid pipeline without submitting any data on how it might actually harm me, or you, or our communities,” stated Norris.
Norris urged the supervisors to move forward to pass a local ordinance to protect the lives and livelihoods of residents and taxpayers.