A problem of proximity

The location of a proposed carbon dioxide pipeline near Hartley is making some folks in eastern O'Brien County anxious.

Concerns were raised about the line's route Dec. 1 during an informational meeting in Sheldon. Navigator CO2 Ventures' Heartland Greenway pipeline would run along the south edge of city limits en route to connect with Valero's ethanol plant west of town. The pipeline, which will be carrying hazardous liquid CO2 compressed at pressures ranging between 1,300-2,100 psi, will intersect with itself near the plant.

O'Brien County has more mileage of pipeline than any other county affected by Heartland Greenway in Iowa at 63.21 miles. That irked Supervisor Dan Friedrichsen, who questioned the motives behind the map.

"This just looks like a big target and bull's-eye to me. Why us?" he asked. "We don't have zoning in O'Brien County, but yet we value everything that we have and a lot of the farmers here have spent time, money and effort to tile their ground."

Friedrichsen noted that the county likes Valero and called the local ethanol plant "a great taxpayer." However, he was concerned about the pipeline's proximity to Hartley and questioned whether the route could be changed.

"We've only got one plant here in O'Brien County and it kind of seems like we're getting beat up here with this map," he said.

Elizabeth Burns-Thompson, Navigator's vice president of government and public affairs, said the company was a bit hand tied due to the Valero plant's location. She said the current map is a mere proposal and alterations will be considered once all input is received and reviewed.

"Obviously, we've got to come near Hartley to get to the plant. There's only one way to do that," she said.

Safety was a big concern for many in attendance Dec. 1. CO2 is an asphyxiant at concentrated levels and possesses a risk if it were to come in direct contact with humans or animals.

Navigator representatives reassured landowners that all safety protocols will be followed and redundancies will be included to reduce the risk to the public in the event of a pipe burst.

Stephen Lee, Navigator's executive vice president of engineering, said the company is completing plume studies along the route to inform safety protocol. He said more shut-off valves can be installed near populated areas like Hartley to reduce the size and scope of a CO2 release in the event of an accident.

"Our goal is to keep the product in the pipeline at all times," he said.

If a release occurs, Lee explained it would look like a large fire extinguisher being released. If it happens in a low-lying area with no wind, the plume would linger until it dissipates.

CO2 at high concentrations displaces oxygen and poses a suffocation threat to humans and animals that come into direct contact with it. Long-term repercussions of a release are non-existent because the CO2 would simply dissipate into the atmosphere.

"From an environmental impact, it's slim to none," Lee explained. "When it comes to water and everything else, there are no contaminants."

Lee said Navigator would be "100 percent liable" for any accidents that may occur unless the pipeline was illegally tampered with. He also said the company would provide training and resources to local emergency responders so they know how to deal with any potential CO2 release.

"As we go through this process, we work with agencies and ask what they need to support this," Lee said. "It's a mutual discussion as we go through and work on collaboration on the risks we see."

The Hartley City Council on Monday briefly discussed the pipeline. Superintendent of Public Works Jaron Benz said the line's proximity to town was "a concern for sure" and offered to file any formal objections or concerns on behalf of the council with the Iowa Utilities Board.

"I'm curious to see where it goes, because I think there's going to be a lot of objection based on what I've heard," he said. "Time will tell down the road."