While state regulators have not granted them a construction permit, Summit Carbon Solutions has added more partner ethanol plants to its proposed underground carbon dioxide pipeline, including Valero Renewables just west of Charles City.
Summit has announced a new partnership with Valero Energy, the world’s second-largest corn ethanol producer, which includes five properties in Iowa, with plants in Fort Dodge, Albert City, Lakota and Hartley, in addition to Charles City.
Valero will also integrate plants in Nebraska, Minnesota and South Dakota into Summit’s project, which would encompass 57 ethanol plants for its $8 billion carbon pipeline. The Valero plants were initially committed to Navigator CO2 Ventures, but they pulled the plug on its Heartland Greenway carbon pipeline back in October.
Summit’s Midwest Carbon Express pipeline also includes the Homeland Energy Solutions ethanol plant between Lawler and New Hampton, Golden Grain Energy, south of Mason City, and Absolute Energy near St. Ansgar.
Despite bringing Valero ethanol plants into the fold, Summit has faced regulatory challenges and opposition from some landowners, and has suffered permit rejections in North Dakota and South Dakota. A permit decision is imminent in Iowa. The company has said it is working to refine its proposal to meet South Dakota requirements and plans to resubmit an application.
A bill introducing more stringent requirements for companies seeking access to private land passed the South Dakota Senate on a 29-4 vote Monday. The bill now goes back to the House for consideration of amendments.
