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Questions of carbon-capture pipeline safety

River to River, hosted by Ben Kieffer

Capturing carbon is considered to be a key factor in eliminating greenhouse gas emissions, but the transport of hazardous materials raises safety concerns.

In 2020, a carbon dioxide pipeline explosion poisoned the town of Satartia, Mississippi, leading to the evacuation of 200 people and the hospitalization of 45. As multiple C02-capture pipelines could come through Iowa, many are concerned about their safety.

During this episode of River to River, host Ben Kieffer speaks with one of the companies behind these pipelines, Navigator C02 Ventures. He also speaks with a Cedar County emergency management director concerned about limited staffing to respond to an emergency and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration about policy in response to the Mississippi incident.

Guests:

  • Elizabeth Burns Thompson, vice president of government and public affairs, Navigator C02 Ventures
  • Amanda McKay, policy manager, The Pipeline Safety Trust
  • Jodi Freet, director, Cedar County Emergency Management
  • Tristan Brown, deputy administrator, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
Ben Kieffer is the host of IPR's River to River
Dani Gehr is a producer for River to River and Talk of Iowa. Dani came to Iowa from her hometown in the northwest suburbs of Chicago to attend Iowa State University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in journalism, international studies and French. Before coming to IPR, Dani covered local government in Story County for the Ames Tribune and Des Moines Register.