pipeline
Newsletter
Credit: Wolfgang Weiser/Unsplash
A pipeline explosion in Texas causes evacuation and damages homes
A pipeline fire ignited after a vehicle struck a valve near Houston, prompting investigations and an evacuation of nearly 1,000 homes.
In short:
- A vehicle crashed into a pipeline valve near Houston, causing an explosion and a massive fire that burned for over 12 hours.
- Nearby homes caught fire due to intense heat, and authorities evacuated 1,000 households while firefighters attempted to contain the flames.
- Air monitoring detected no immediate health risks, though the fire released soot and particulate matter into the environment.
Key quote:
“A lot of the house structures that are adjacent to that are still catching on fire even though we’re putting a lot of water on them.”
— Jerry Mouton Jr., Mayor of Deer Park.
Why this matters:
Pipeline explosions in Houston’s petrochemical region are common, raising concerns about the safety of the infrastructure and its impact on nearby communities and the environment. Residents must grapple with repeated disruptions and potential long-term risks.
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Credit: Wolfgang Weiser/Unsplash
Opposition builds as northern British Columbia pipeline construction begins
Nisg̱a’a tribal protectors briefly blocked construction of the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission pipeline, signaling growing resistance from Indigenous communities across northwest B.C.
In short:
- Nisg̱a’a tribal members set up a blockade near Gitlax̱t’aamiks to stop pipeline vehicles, reopening it after RCMP arrived.
- The pipeline project faces opposition from multiple Indigenous groups, who argue that the environmental assessments are outdated.
- Construction must significantly progress by November to keep environmental approval valid.
Key quote:
“This will be won. I guarantee you we will be successful.”
— Richard Cecil Mercer, Nisg̱a’a citizen
Why this matters:
The pipeline crosses sensitive areas, including heritage sites and major waterways. The opposition highlights broader conflicts over land rights and environmental protection.
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Gas pipeline project faces setback after court ruling
A federal appeals court vacated the approvals for a New Jersey gas pipeline project, forcing a reassessment of its necessity and environmental impact.
In short:
- The U.S. Court of Appeals ordered the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to reconsider the Regional Energy Access Expansion project.
- Environmentalists and state officials argued the project is unnecessary and harmful, citing an independent study showing sufficient gas capacity in New Jersey until beyond 2030.
- The court found the commission failed to consider the project's environmental impact, including significant greenhouse gas emissions.
Key quote:
“The record estimates enormous GHG emissions from the project for the next half century.”
— Judge J. Michelle Childs, U.S. Court of Appeals
Why this matters:
The ruling emphasizes the need for careful evaluation of energy projects to align with state policies on reducing greenhouse gases and ensuring consumer protection from unnecessary infrastructure costs.
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Credit: TitusStaunton/Pixabay
Iowa carbon pipeline regulations challenged by Summit
Summit Carbon Solutions claims Iowa counties lack the authority to enforce ordinances restricting the siting of carbon dioxide pipelines, stating that state and federal regulators have ultimate control.
In short:
- Summit Carbon Solutions seeks to overturn county ordinances that mandate setbacks for carbon pipelines, arguing these regulations conflict with state and federal authority.
- Federal and state regulators are said to have exclusive jurisdiction over pipeline safety, according to Summit and its supporters.
- The case, involving appeals from Shelby and Story counties, will be heard by the Eighth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, with a decision expected next year.
Key quote:
“Local governments have traditionally exercised broad powers to regulate land use, including setback distances and property development that includes development in the vicinity of pipelines.”
— Alan Mayberry, pipeline safety administrator, PHMSA
Why this matters:
Summit Carbon Solutions’ stance underscores a broader trend where large energy and infrastructure firms seek to bypass local regulations, often arguing that a unified regulatory framework is essential for the development of critical projects. For this company, this means pushing forward with plans to construct extensive CO2 pipelines intended to capture and transport carbon emissions from industrial sources to underground storage sites. These pipelines are a key component of strategies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change.
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Credit: Robson Machado/Pixabay
Manitoba's pipeline oversight faces scrutiny after recent shutdown
A recent pipeline shutdown has exposed significant gaps in Manitoba's oversight of its oil and gas industry, raising concerns about the province's regulatory practices.
In short:
- Manitoba has not updated its pipeline oversight policies despite an oil boom and calls for better practices.
- A recent pipeline shutdown revealed deficiencies in monitoring and staffing, with only 13 inspections in five years.
- Other provinces have improved oversight following critical reports, but Manitoba lags behind.
Key quote:
“This Imperial Oil incident has really highlighted some of the gaps, perhaps, in governmental oversight.”
— Tracy Schmidt, Manitoba Environment and Climate Change Minister
Why this matters:
Critics argue that this incident underscores the need for stronger regulatory practices to prevent such disruptions and protect the environment. The province’s current oversight mechanisms have been deemed insufficient to address the complexities and risks associated with oil and gas operations. Environmental advocates are particularly worried about the potential for oil spills and other ecological impacts that could arise from such regulatory failures.
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Credit: LoggaWiggler/Pixabay
Midwestern CO2 pipeline gets Iowa approval but faces further challenges
Iowa regulators approved Summit Carbon Solutions' CO2 pipeline project, but it still needs approvals from other states to proceed.
In short:
- The $5.5 billion project will transport CO2 emissions from over 50 ethanol plants in five states for underground storage in North Dakota.
- Opponents fear land seizures and potential hazards from pipeline ruptures, while supporters argue it aids climate change efforts and economic growth.
- Summit must secure approvals from North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Nebraska before construction can begin.
Key quote:
“Whether you think it’s smart or silly, the world’s largest airlines want to decarbonize their fuel.”
— Monte Shaw, executive director at the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association
Why this matters:
For advocates, the pipeline represents a crucial step in reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change. By capturing and storing CO2, the project could help lower the carbon footprint of biofuel production, making it a more sustainable option. Farmers and landowners have voiced strong opposition, fearing the pipeline could disrupt agriculture and threaten water supplies. Environmentalists are divided, with some supporting carbon capture as a necessary tool in the fight against global warming, while others argue it distracts from investing in renewable energy sources like wind and solar power.
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Credit: tuproyecto/Pixabay
Governor Burgum backs controversial carbon pipeline in North Dakota
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, a potential Trump running mate, supports a $5.5 billion CO2 pipeline project, highlighting political and environmental tensions.
Richard Lardner and Jack Dura report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Burgum, aiming to be Trump’s VP, supports the Midwest Carbon Express, a $5.5 billion CO2 pipeline aligned with Biden’s climate goals.
- The pipeline, collecting CO2 from Midwest ethanol plants, faces strong local opposition due to safety and land value concerns.
- Summit Carbon Solutions claims the pipeline will aid the fossil fuel industry and ensure CO2 storage, though critics argue it extends fossil fuel use.
Key quote:
“This has nothing to do with climate change. This has to do with markets.”
— Doug Burgum, Governor of North Dakota
Why this matters:
While the project promises significant environmental benefits by potentially cutting down on CO2 released into the atmosphere, it also faces considerable opposition. Critics argue that the focus should be on reducing emissions at the source rather than relying on carbon capture technology, which they see as a temporary fix rather than a sustainable solution.
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