North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum Walks Tightrope between Trump Backing and Carbon Pipeline Project
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum is navigating the delicate balance of supporting Donald Trump’s presidential bid and overseeing a controversial $5.5 billion carbon dioxide pipeline project in the state. The Midwest Carbon Express, aimed at capturing CO2 emissions and storing them underground, has sparked debate over environmental concerns and economic potential.
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum Balances Trump Support with Carbon Pipeline Project
Bismarck, N.D. – North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, a two-term Republican, is actively supporting Donald Trump’s bid for a return to the White House while managing a controversial $5.5 billion carbon dioxide (CO2) pipeline project in his home state. The Midwest Carbon Express, spearheaded by Summit Carbon Solutions of Ames, Iowa, aims to capture CO2 emissions from ethanol plants in the Midwest and store them underground in North Dakota.
Burgum, a potential vice-presidential candidate for Trump, is championing the project, citing its potential business benefits rather than its environmental impact. The project reflects President Joe Biden’s climate change initiatives, creating potential conflict given Trump’s stance on fossil fuels.
The 2,500-mile pipeline traverses Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota, culminating in North Dakota, where the CO2 will be buried. Summit Carbon Solutions expects to gain substantial tax credits for CO2 sequestration, with possible revenue of up to $1.5 billion annually, though there are no current plans to use the CO2 for enhanced oil recovery.
The project faces opposition from local landowners and environmental groups, citing safety and property devaluation concerns. In 2020, a CO2 pipeline rupture in Mississippi led to significant health impacts, raising fears of similar incidents. Burgum has attempted to sidestep eminent domain issues, suggesting route adjustments as a compromise.
State and county officials are scrutinizing the pipeline. The North Dakota Industrial Commission, led by Burgum, has pending permit decisions, while Burleigh County has enacted restrictions on the pipeline’s proximity to residential areas.
While advocating for Trump, who opposes stringent climate regulations, Burgum remains focused on leveraging North Dakota’s geological capacity for CO2 storage, projected to help extract additional oil from the Bakken shale formation.
The intersection of state climate initiatives and national political loyalties places Burgum in a complex position, underscored by his refusal to label the project as environmentally motivated, emphasizing its market potential instead.
