Wolf Carbon Solutions US (Wolf) has withdrawn its application to develop a carbon dioxide (CO2) pipeline in Illinois and to update it before refiling in early 2024.
The application was initially submitted to the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) in June.
Read more: Wolf Carbon Solutions files Mt. Simon Hub permit application in Illinois
Wolf’s proposed Mt. Simon Hub project could transport CO2 emitted from industrial facilities for permanent storage. It is hoped the pipeline will run across portions of DeWitt, Henry, Logan, Macon, Peoria, Rock Island, Stark, and Tazewell counties.
If approved, the Mt. Simon Hub would have a 12 million tonnes per annum capacity.
Dean Ferguson, President of Wolf Carbon Solutions US, said the company understands the stringent regulatory review process for the project. Having noted this, he adds that Wolf has withdrawn the application to address questions and concerns.
The questions and concerns highlighted by Ferguson were put forward to Wolf by the ICC staff as a recommendation. The application withdrawal will not impact the project.
Ferguson continued, “Wolf remains committed to the Mt. Simon Hub. This project will be built using the latest technology and union construction to ensure its safe and efficient operation.”
According to an economic impact study carried out by Goss & Associates, the proposed Mt Simon Hub would support 2,780 jobs during construction and 342 jobs annually during operation in Illinois.
<p>
CO2 pipeline difficulties
Just last month (October 2023), carbon management specialist Navigator CO2 announced the cancellation of its 1,300-mile CO2 pipeline project. The project was set to transport and sequester up to 15 million metric tonnes of CO2 a year across five Midwest states.
An official statement released by the company’s CEO, Matt Vining, confirmed that the unpredictable nature of the regulatory and government processes involved, particularly in South Dakota and Iowa, resulted in the cancellation of the project.
Read more: Navigator CO2 cancels Midwest carbon capture pipeline project
Before Navigator CO2’s cancellation, Summit Carbon Solutions, which is also looking to develop a pipeline spanning five US states, had to submit a revised pipeline permit application to the North Dakota Public Service Commission to address concerns.
Read more: Summit Carbon Solutions submits revised CO2 pipeline permit application in North Dakota
The resubmission followed the North Dakota Public Service Commission having previously rejected the permit application due to members of the public having concerns related to eminent domain, safety, the policy of permanent CO2 sequestration and storage, setback distances, irreparable harm to underground drain tile systems, impacts on property values, and the ability to obtain liability insurance due to the project.
Landowners and intervenors also testified that the project would have adverse effects on the value of their property and residential development projects. Summit filed a letter from an appraisal company in response to these concerns.
North American CO2 Summit 2024
Join gasworld in September 2024 as our North American CO2 Summit heads to Nashville. More information including our theme and agenda will be released over the coming weeks – you can register your interest to ensure you stay updated.
Our North American CO2 Summit 2023 agenda was focused on how to source, move and use CO2 more effectively and sold out, so we recommend securing your space.
Interested in speaking and contributing? Get in touch with our Content Director, Rob Cockerill, at [email protected]
To attend, sponsor and for more information, visit https://bit.ly/GWCO2NA-S24
