Summit Sold Its Midwest Pipeline as a Carbon Solution. Now, It’ll Be Used for Fossil Fuels.
Why it matters: A major carbon capture pipeline project is now slated to boost fossil fuel extraction, not reduce emissions.
- Summit Carbon Solutions initially promoted its pipeline for carbon sequestration and lower-carbon sustainable aviation fuel, explicitly stating it would not be used for EOR.
- The company has now shifted its focus, stating the pipeline will be used for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) to increase domestic oil and gas production.
- Opponents like Jess Mazour of the Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club criticize Summit's pivot, arguing the company is saying "whatever’s convenient for them in the moment" to advance the project.
- Summit Carbon Solutions did not respond to requests for comment regarding this significant change in project scope.
- The company's messaging now aligns with "drill, baby, drill" policies, contrasting sharply with its initial climate-focused pitch during the Biden administration.
Summit Carbon Solutions, initially pitching its Midwest pipeline as a climate solution for carbon sequestration and sustainable aviation fuel, has quietly pivoted to using it for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) to boost fossil fuel production. This shift, occurring amid permitting delays and property rights battles, aligns with a "drill, baby, drill" political climate, drawing strong criticism from environmental groups who accuse the company of opportunism.
