Economic projections questioned during South Dakota carbon pipeline hearing

Economic projections questioned during South Dakota carbon pipeline hearing

By Joshua Hair, Iowa Capital Dispatch (July 27, 2023)

“Mark Hereth, the managing director of a pipeline consulting firm called Blacksmith Group, testified that pipelines are a safe way to transport liquified carbon dioxide, and the plan proposed by the company would meet federal regulatory requirements.

Opponents have concerns about carbon dioxide plumes from potential pipeline leaks. In 2020, a leak in a carbon pipeline in Mississippi caused the evacuation of about 200 people and sent 45 to the hospital.

Hereth acknowledged that “accidents happen,” but said that’s why any project should include planning for those “rare incidents.”

Jorde pushed back, asking Hereth about the Pipeline Safety Trust, a nonprofit promoting pipeline safety, which has declared carbon capture pipelines too unregulated and generally unsafe.

“I disagree with that,” Hereth said.”