Federal regulators, seeking to bolster oversight of carbon capture pipelines after a Mississippi break sent a dangerous plume over a nearby village, want to hear from residents in Iowa, where similar projects have sparked widespread opposition.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, a U.S. Department of Transportation agency, said it will hold public meetings May 31 and June 1 in Des Moines, after announcing nearly a year ago it plans to strengthen carbon capture pipeline safety oversight following an investigation into a pipeline rupture near Satartia, Mississippi.

Federal regulators fined the Mississippi pipeline owner Denbury Gulf Coast Pipelines of Plano, Texas, nearly $4 million for violations tied to the rupture. In February 2020, the pipeline burst, sending a cloud of carbon dioxide toward the village of Satartia, forcing the evacuation of 200 people and sickening 45 people. No one died in the incident.

Carbon dioxide, an asphyxiant, is heavier than air. And when it's released into the atmosphere, the odorless, colorless gas sinks, displacing oxygen. Depending on concentration levels, exposure can cause everything from headaches and drowsiness to confusion and death.

Opponents of three proposed carbon capture pipeline projects in Iowa have pointed to the incident, questioning whether Iowa could experience a similar threat. But the companies developing the Iowa projects say their pipelines would exceed federal safety requirements and use technology that provides immediate notification of leaks and ruptures so they can be shut off quickly.

More: Pipelines operated by oil companies for decades without permits, but Iowa law limits penalties

The developers, Summit Carbon Solutions, Navigator CO2 Ventures and Wolf Carbon Solutions, have proposed capturing carbon dioxide emissions at ethanol and fertilizer plants across the state, liquifying it under pressure and pumping it to either North Dakota or Illinois, where the the carbon would be sequestered deep underground.

Late last year, about three dozen environmental, public health and tribal groups asked federal regulators to urge states to delay issuing pipeline permits until the agency establishes new safety guidelines.

Pipeline developers have requests with the Iowa Utilities Board, seeking permits to build the hazardous liquid pipelines. The three-person panel expects to hear public comments on Summit's request in October, while the other requests have yet to be scheduled.

Iowa opponents have been concerned that increased federal pipeline safety requirements could come long after proposed pipelines are in the ground.

"Any CO2 pipeline permits given before those gaps have been filled will be gambling with public and environmental safety," the groups said in a February letter to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. "We know the forthcoming regulatory overhaul will impact the siting and therefore the risk/safety of communities."

More: Iowa Poll: Strong majority opposes using eminent domain for carbon-capture pipelines

The groups, including Food & Water Watch, the Science & Environmental Health Network and the Sierra Club's Iowa Chapter, said California already has imposed a moratorium on carbon capture pipelines until the federal agency establishes new safeguards.

Regulators said they are holding the meetings to help inform "rulemaking decisions." They want to discuss emergency responses to a pipeline break, including needed equipment and training; dispersion modeling; and safety measures like leak detection and reporting, among other issues.

Federal regulators criticized Denbury for failing to notify local emergency responders the rupture had occurred and for failing to correctly include Satartia in the areas that could be impacted by a carbon dioxide release, among other concerns.

The agency said it expects key stakeholders like public advocacy groups, pipeline operators, researchers and state officials to attend. No location has been set yet.

Those interested in attending the meetings must register online by May 12. They will be livestreamed online as well, the agency said. The agency lists Max Kieba, director of program development, as a contact who can be reached at 202-420-9169 or by e-mail at max.kieba@dot.gov.

Donnelle Eller covers agriculture, the environment and energy for the Register. Reach her at deller@registermedia.com or 515-284-8457. 

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Feds want to hear from Iowans about carbon capture pipeline safety