- Richie Schmidt is president of Des Moines Workers International Union Local 177.
As President of the Workers’ United Nations Local 177, I have the privilege of representing the workers who have built the pipeline system in Iowa and throughout the country. Having worked in this capacity for many years and having seen this work up close, I have read his September 11th article in The Register on the safety of carbon capture pipeline systems which is misleading from my point of view. I feel obligated to respond.
more:Contractors swear CO2 pipelines are safe. Concerned Iowans point to a rupture in Mississippi.
First, there seems to be a perception that pipelines are underutilized, but in reality these systems are widespread and help keep the economy moving. There are currently 3.3 million miles of pipeline in operation across the United States. This equates to about 14 trips from Earth to the Moon, or her 132 trips around the world. There are more than 45,000 miles of pipelines in Iowa alone, all of which ensure that families and businesses have access to the energy they need. Pipelines are critical infrastructure and our country could not run a modern economy without them. Don’t assume that proposed pipeline construction, materials, or operations in the Midwest are anything new.
Additionally, the pipeline system is secure. This is especially true for carbon capture pipelines that utilize reliable and proven technology for many years. Dozens of ethanol plants today capture CO2. For over 20 years he has thousands of miles of CO2 pipelines operating without a single fatality. Geological storage has been studied by policy makers, engineers and others, and has been found to be an effective and safe way to permanently sequester carbon dioxide emissions. It cannot be plausibly claimed that this technology (carbon capture, CO2 transport, or CO2 storage) is somehow new or has not been used for years. it’s simply not true.
Another view: We do research and oppose CO2 pipelines
Pipelines are also heavily regulated to ensure their safety. The Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), part of the US Department of Transportation, has broad and comprehensive regulations governing the construction and operation of any pipeline system. These regulations are continuously evaluated and updated based on data to determine where new rulemaking is needed. Regulations on pipeline depth, weld inspection, maximum distance between isolation valves, etc. are set by PHMSA and overseen by a team of experts to ensure compliance. Any insinuations or blatant claims that these systems lack oversight to ensure their safety are simply false.
New to these pipelines is the wide range of benefits Iowans receive. These projects will allow ethanol producers, who are so important to our economy, to market their products in a growing number of states and countries paying more for low-carbon fuels. This is critical because the ethanol industry buys nearly 60% of his corn grown in Iowa, helping ensure high commodity and land prices each year. These billion-dollar investments will help leverage local suppliers and help local businesses generate economic growth. The companies developing the projects will also pay tens of millions of dollars in new property taxes each year to help communities support critical local priorities such as education, healthcare, infrastructure and public safety. is.
I hope the state of Iowa will come together to support the proposed carbon capture projects in Iowa. Because they’re good for our economy and the environment, and as someone who’s been involved in pipeline projects for years, they’re safer than anything else. .
Richie Schmidt is president of Des Moines Workers International Union Local 177.
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