For Immediate Release: 
Monday, December 2, 2024

Contacts: 
Pam Richart, Co-Director, Eco-Justice Collaborative, 773.556.4318, prichart@ecojusticecollaborative.org
Joyce Harant, President, Citizens Against Predatory Pipelines, 309.648.3035‬, jahchoices@gmail.com

Victory for Illinois and Iowa Landowners
Wolf Carbon Pipeline Withdraws Permit Application in Iowa

Champaign, IL - Today, Wolf Carbon Solutions U.S., LLC filed a request to withdraw their petition for a Hazardous Liquid Pipeline permit with the Iowa Utilities Commission. The company cited delays and regulatory uncertainties as key factors in its decision. The project required approval from both the Iowa Utilities Commission and the Illinois Commerce Commission.

In November of 2023 Wolf withdrew its request to build a 260-mile long pipeline through Illinois, after receiving a recommendation of denial from the Illinois Commerce Commission. At that time, Wolf stated it would refile its application with the ICC soon after the first of the year, but never followed through. Since that time, Public Act 103-0651 established a moratorium on CO2 pipelines until the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration completes its rulemaking to improve safety and oversight or July 1, 2026, whichever comes first.  In Monday's December 2 petition to withdraw its application in Iowa, Wolf said continuing the regulatory process at this time would not be an efficient use of company resources.

“Wolf’s withdrawal of its application in Iowa is evidence the project may now be completely dead”, said Pam Richart, Eco-Justice Collaborative and Coordinator of the Coalition to Stop CO2 Pipelines. “The cancellation is a significant victory for landowners and communities along Wolf’s route through all nine Illinois counties that would have been affected. The decision by Wolf to withdraw its application, coupled with Navigator's cancellation of its project in October of 2023, show how landowners and local governments can stop corporations like Wolf when CO2 pipeline projects threaten private property and public health."

The controversial 260-mile pipeline, dubbed the Mt. Simon Hub, would have transported high-pressure liquified CO2 from ethanol plants in Iowa and Illinois to Macon County, Illinois for permanent storage. A CO2 pipeline is not like other pipelines. CO2 must be transported under extreme pressure. A minor rupture could be catastrophic. CO2 under pressure is a tasteless, odorless gas that can asphyxiate humans and livestock within minutes. The Illinois Commerce Commission’s recommendation to deny Wolf’s project was largely based on concerns related to public safety.

"I was so happy to hear the news that Wolf had withdrawn its application in Iowa, that I immediately shared it with others along its route through Pekin "said Elton Rocke, landowner. That dangerous CO2 pipeline would have passed right by an elementary school and a prison. Could first responders have saved all children and inmates, if Wolf's pipeline were to rupture? I'm not so sure they could have done that, which is what we told Wolf. It's good to know this project isn't going anywhere, at least for now."

Citizens Against Predatory Pipelines (CAPP) President Joyce Harant said "CAPP,  landowners who resisted signing land easements, and our allies worked very hard to stop the Wolf CO2 pipeline permit application from being approved in Illinois. We are pleased to see Wolf withdraw in Iowa.  However, CAPP remains wary and ready to act as long as taxpayer funded 45Q tax credits are available to entice Wolf and CO2 producers to criss-cross Illinois with CO2 pipelines, capture and sequestration(CCS) infrastructure. We will continue to hold Wolf and other companies accountable for making their project proposals transparent, research based and committed to the highest standards for the public's safety.

Emma Schmit, Bold Alliance’s Pipeline Fighters Director said, “It's no surprise that Wolf has joined the 70% of all ethanol-based carbon capture projects that are cancelled before construction. Wolf's withdrawal should serve as a signal to all corporations looking to profit at the expense of our communities, our safety, and our property rights. We will stand in opposition to exploitative carbon capture pipelines, and as we've proven once again, we will win.”

Coalition to Stop CO2 Pipelines
The Coalition to Stop CO2 Pipelines is a growing coalition of Illinois environmental groups, landowners, and residents concerned about the environmental, economic, and the unprecedented safety hazards associated with building a network of CO2 pipelines across the state. The coalition believes the mad rush to build these pipelines as part of the technology called carbon capture and sequestration is dangerous and a false solution that will keep Illinois reliant on fossil fuels. Citizens Against Predatory Pipelines is a member of the Coalition.

###