North Dakota Approves CO2 Storage Project

North Dakota's Industrial Commission has approved permits for Summit Carbon Solutions to construct three underground carbon dioxide storage wells, aimed at permanently storing emissions from ethanol plants across five Midwestern states. Despite the unanimous decision, landowner attorney Derrick Braaten has expressed concerns over the fairness of the process, indicating intentions to appeal due to the lack of a dispersion model for CO2 that landowners could review. The wells, located in Mercer and Oliver counties, are part of a larger $8.9 billion CO2 pipeline project that has already garnered approvals in North Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota, pending a crucial decision from South Dakota regulators. Braaten argues that landowners should have the right to examine the computer-generated model used to determine compensation for the use of their land, which he claims has not been adequately shared. The approval of the project is expected to face legal challenges, focusing on property rights and due process issues. The company plans to make a construction decision by the end of 2025, contingent on securing all necessary permits.