Ad campaigns, media stories and even testimony in Pierre has been mired with misinformation. Here are some of the biggest myths being propagated. Let’s get back to facts.
MYTH: It was the natural Hydrogen Sulfide that flowed within the pipeline that made people sick in the Satartia, MS rupture and disaster, that would not be the case here in South Dakota.
FACT: Multiple officials confirmed that carbon dioxide sickened residents in the Satartia CO2 pipeline rupture disaster. Victims experienced symptoms consistent with carbon dioxide exposure, and still had alarmingly high levels of carbon dioxide in their blood yet the next day.
Of the more than 100 air monitoring readings (indoor and outdoor) there were 0 detections of hydrogen sulfide, and detections of 28,000 PPM of carbon dioxide – more than 5X the OSHA permittable exposure limit.
MYTH: Carbon dioxide pipelines are safe because the Federal government regulates pipeline safety.
FACT: PHMSA does not regulate setbacks, a key component of safety, and note the role of counties. At the same time, they have acknowledged that the current safety regulations, including those around emergency planning, are insufficient for the new proposed buildout of carbon dioxide pipelines; prompted by the Satartia disaster.
MYTH: There have been zero fatalities or injuries to the public as a result of operating a carbon dioxide pipeline.
FACT: The Denbury carbon dioxide pipeline failure in Satartia, MS, sent 45 people to the hospital and left victims gasping for nearly 3.5 miles, many with long-term brain and organ damage.
MYTH: Carbon dioxide is safer than natural gas and propane, because it’s not flammable.
FACT: Unlike the air we breathe, concentrated carbon dioxide is an asphyxiant and intoxicant. It’s odorless and colorless with no safety or warning signal. Because it won’t ignite, it poses additional unique risks. Compressed carbon dioxide expands rapidly and concentrates in a plume taking oxygen out of the air, without warning, leading to suffocation.
MYTH: The ONLY WAY to get the carbon dioxide pipeline routed through South Dakota is use of Eminent Domain.
FACT: A carbon dioxide pipeline is being routed through Minnesota where eminent domain is not allowed.
SOURCE: SUMMIT CARBON SOLUTIONS WEBSITE, NEWS REPORTS, MINNESOTA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
MYTH: Carbon dioxide pipelines are the same as natural gas or propane pipelines.
FACT: In comparison with other pipelines, compressed carbon dioxide has only been transported in small amounts and distances within the oil industry, yet has a history of higher rupture – two times that of natural gas with only a fraction of the volume (5,100 vs. 3,000,000 miles of pipe).
Since these pipelines are located in isolated areas and oil fields, people have not been close to the pipelines.
A carbon dioxide pipeline blowout in Tinsley, MS in 2011 took 37 days to bring under control. It killed deer, birds, other animals, polluted water and killed fish. No humans around.
In 2013, a blowout in NE Louisiana lasted more than 6 weeks before being controlled. Wildlife killed. Putting large carbon dioxide pipelines close to populated areas has been avoided to date.
SOURCE: HUFF POST, THE GASSING OF SATARTIA, DAN ZEGART, 8/26/21
MYTH: The increased interest in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in 2024 is driven by tax credits and more state incentives in the Northwest.
FACT: GEVO stock has seen a significant and continuous decline. Investors are advised to stay away.