Carbon pipeline process impacts environment

Carbon pipelines are in the news, as they relate to "eminent domain." The original intent was to sequester carbon dioxide gases (CO2) produced by the creation of ethanol by burying the liquidized gas in the ground. Several companies want to invest in these projects, including Wolf, which plans to cross Linn County to bury the liquid below rock layers in Illinois.

But some of this liquid could be pumped at very high pressure into existing areas of "natural gas" with the idea of extracting more gas. This gas emits methane, a much stronger atmospheric pollutant than CO2, and is in fact a fossil fuel usage, which we should be reducing. The pressure in these pipelines is far higher than for just oil.

Sadly, every step in the process has problems. Digging deep canals interferes with precious soil layers and endangers waterways. Growing corn just to make ethanol increases usage of nitrogen which also upsets soil and water balance, and disrupts wildlife habitat. CO2 emissions are increased from the transport and machine production of the ethanol.

These emission figures need to be in the public domain as part of the discussion of the value of interfering with nature. for short term gain. Every indicator tells us that we have already upset our planet — our tornadoes, floods, droughts, fires and the extinctions of fish, fauna and flora.

In 2023, we must be ready think afresh and to adapt to protect our world.

Sonia Ettinger

Iowa City