The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission on Aug. 31 approved the scope of the Environmental Impact Statement for a portion of Summit Carbon Solutions’ proposed CO2 pipeline project that spans approximately 28 miles in two of the state’s counties. 

Summit in September 2022 filed a route permit application to construct and operate the Otter Tail to Wilkin Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Project, which is an approximately 28-mile, 4.5 inch diameter CO2 pipeline proposed to be constructed in Otter Tail and Wilkin Counties, which are located in west-central Minnesota near the North Dakota boarder. The project is part of Summit’s larger proposed Midwest Carbon Express Project, which would span five states, shipping CO2 captured at more than 30 Midwestern ethanol plants to sites in North Dakota for secure geological storage. 

In its Aug. 31 announcement, the Minnesota PUC said the purpose of the scoping is to establish a list of environmental issues that will be further analyzed in the EIS, subject to public review. The Minnesota Department of Commerce's Energy Environmental Review and Analysis unit conducts environmental reviews on behalf of the PUC for proposed energy projects, including carbon pipelines. 

A variety of issues will be evaluated in the EIS, including property value impacts; environmental and human impacts; emergency preparedness; route alternatives; water resource impacts, such as quality, watersheds, wetlands, streams, reivers, and water table; environmental justice and cultural impacts; and alternative carbon capture technologies. 

According to the PUC, the Department of Commerce will begin drafting the EIS. Once that draft is complete, the public will have a chance to review it and provide comments. The PUC said the environmental review must be completed before it decides whether to issue a route permit.