Building our way to Net-Zero: Carbon Dioxide Pipelines in the United States

Industry Overview - The report highlights the critical role of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology in achieving net-zero emissions, emphasizing its versatility across industries such as chemical, steel, cement manufacturing, and power generation [7] - CCS is the only viable near-term decarbonization solution for certain industrial sectors and enables the scale-up of technology-based Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) [7] - The current CO₂ pipeline network in the US, spanning over 5,000 miles, is insufficient to meet future demands, with estimates suggesting a need for 20,000 to 96,000 miles of new pipelines by 2050 to support large-scale CCS projects [7][22] Regulatory and Safety Framework - CO₂ pipelines in the US are regulated by federal and state authorities, with safety standards set by the US Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and organizations like the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) [7] - PHMSA is updating regulations to enhance CO₂ pipeline safety, with a proposed rule expected in 2024 to address operational and maintenance safety issues [34] - The CO₂ pipeline industry has a strong safety record, with zero fatalities in its 50-year history, attributed to robust regulations and industry standards [7] Community Engagement and Environmental Justice - Communities in the US are largely unfamiliar with CCS technology, necessitating robust community engagement to address concerns and prevent misinformation [7] - Environmental Justice is a critical component of community engagement, with federal funding increasingly requiring projects to address equity and inclusion [8] - The US Department of Energy (DOE) and other federal agencies are providing guidance and requirements for community engagement, including the Justice40 Initiative, which mandates that 40% of federal investment benefits flow to disadvantaged communities [95][96] Economic and Environmental Benefits - CCS projects linked to CO₂ pipelines can improve local air quality by reducing co-pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and particulate matter (PM₂.₅) [100] - Economic benefits of CCS projects include job creation, tax revenue, and the potential to decarbonize existing industries, with projects like the Gulf Coast Sequestration (GCS) hub expected to generate significant economic impact [100][101] - CCS projects can safeguard local industries and skilled labor forces by transferring skills from the fossil fuel industry to the CCS sector [101] Challenges and Barriers - Complex permitting processes and delays in CO₂ pipeline development could result in 91 Mt of unmitigated CO₂ emissions by 2030 if projects are delayed by just one year [102] - Community opposition, driven by concerns over safety, property values, and environmental justice, poses a significant barrier to CO₂ pipeline development [91][92] - The use of eminent domain laws for CO₂ pipeline development is controversial, with 78% of Iowa respondents opposing its use for pipeline projects [91] Future Outlook - The US must rapidly expand its CO₂ pipeline infrastructure to meet net-zero goals, with models indicating a need for a four to 18-fold increase in pipeline mileage by 2050 [102] - Early and sustained community engagement, along with updated safety regulations, will be critical to the successful deployment of CCS projects and CO₂ pipelines [102][103] - The development of new CO₂ pipelines is essential to scale up carbon management and achieve net-zero targets in the US [7][22]