On May 21, NPR published an article, “The U.S. is expanding CO2 pipelines. One poisoned town wants you to know its story.”

The pipeline operator knew of the CO2 pipeline burst yet failed to alert area emergency response teams. Regulators stated the operator failed to understand the soil shift impact after extensive rain. NPR includes comments from the fireman who rescued the unconscious men from their stalled Cadillac. Satartia residents want citizens and policy makers to better understand the safety concerns.

Recently, our Iowa neighbors came together for a two-day event in Des Moines to tell their story. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) hosted the CO2 pipeline safety event that drew a strong attendance (280 attendance; 850 livestream).

It was apparent our neighbors had been doing their research. It has been two years filled with legal notices, safety concerns, ongoing operator threats, liability insurance concerns, sleepless nights… In listening to their stories, you hear the passion and the tiredness. PHMSA will make available the panel discussions within thirty days.

The message was loud and clear that we need a moratorium advisory to all states, the strongest safety rules possible and clear guidance on what states and counties can and cannot do. As it stands, pipeline operators are considering rural routes close to homes, towns, and schools without understanding the effects of CO2 plume tendencies.

Recall the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster?

Engineers tried to warn supervisors of the weather concerns related to the O-ring’s inability to expand when the temperature is at or below 32 degrees F. The delay, until a warmer launch time in Florida, did not happen. Instead, the shuttle was launched despite safety concerns. The O-ring expansion failure caused a small gas leak that turned into a flicker, then a flame and ultimately the explosion just after 73 seconds into flight.

The 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger needed someone to delay the launch. The Satartia disaster should not have happened and can happen again. Safety standards have not been established for the type of CO2 high pressure pipelines being proposed.

Let’s not let political agendas, time pressures or nonprofit monetary gains interfere with establishing safety standards. The proposed CO2 pipeline needs PHMSA and elected officials to create the delay until safety concerns can be fully vetted.

— Ken DeGier is manager of K&J Enterprises, LLC in Echo.