NORFOLK, Neb. – A company is touring northeast Nebraska for a series of public meetings discussing its proposed carbon pipeline across the region.

Heartland Greenway has submitted plans for its Navigator CO2 Project, which would include over 1,000 miles of pipeline covering five states. The project would reach into Boone, Dakota, Dixon, Madison, Platte, Stanton and Wayne Counties.

“We are connecting to processors here throughout the state of Nebraska,” said Elizabeth Burns-Thompson, vice president of government and public affairs for Navigator CO2. “We’re looking at how do we overarchingly minimize the collective impact as part of that footprint, knowing that a pipeline does need to be contiguous.”

The proposal would involve removing carbon dioxide and turning it into a liquid. The planned pipeline could carry carbon to Illinois, where it would be held in underground storage.

“From an environmental perspective, that’s a lot of what’s driving this type of activity in this space,” Burns-Thompson said. “Carbon emissions, and CO2 specifically, is something that’s been identified as a greenhouse gas. So, these industries are looking at how do we improve our processes so we’re more competitive under the carbon market platforms that are being put forward. And this type of activity is what’s allowing these industries then to be more competitive under a carbon valuation type market.”

That is has brought company leaders to places like Dakota City, Battle Creek, Wayne and Albion. When asked about the possibility of eminent domain, Burns-Thompson said the company is approaching things from a collaborative point of view, taking feedback from community members at its town hall meetings.

“We’re at the very, very early stages right now, “Burns-Thompson said. “We’re committed to working collaboratively and in good faith with landowners, with communities across that footprint.”

That doesn’t mean the company hasn’t put in contingency plans in case permitting processes or opposition from communities and landowners create obstacles.

“Right now, we’ve identified a half-mile corridor,” Burns-Thompson said. “The pipe itself will not be a half mile wide. We’re looking for just a 50-foot easement.”

Safety concerns are also among the issued raised by both community members and company leaders at the meetings.

“Optimizing the spacing and placement of valves to ensure that, should there be an unfortunate release of product, you’re minimizing those impacts as much as possible, as well as working with local responders and EMS teams across that footprint to ensure that they’re also well-versed in the unique properties and nature of CO2,” Burns-Thompson said. “We do acknowledge that there are risks associated with any project, this one included.”

The next open house meeting will be held virtually on Friday.