With a Whimper, Not a Pipeline: The Unforgettable Journey of the Heartland Greenway Project by Navigator

• Navigator CO2's Heartland Greenway project embodied a collective vision to capture over 15 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually for either geologic sequestration or eFuel synthesis
• The project expanded to encompass five Midwest states and incorporate more than 30 individual CO2 sources, reflecting ambitious reach and scale
• Regulatory hurdles ultimately forced the cancellation of the Heartland Greenway project, shedding light on the perils of regulatory uncertainty and the need for a clear regulatory framework, further highlighting the vital role of public acceptance and permitting processes in shaping environmental initiatives

In this special edition, we gather to reminisce about a journey that embarked with ambition, weathered numerous trials, and ultimately discovered solace in cooperation. This story unfolds as a testament to vision, partnership, and dedication to a sustainable future, while also underscoring the pivotal role of public acceptance and permitting processes in shaping environmental initiatives.

In Memorial: Remembering the Heartland Greenway Project

The Heartland Greenway project was born from the collective vision of Navigator CO2 Ventures. In June 2020, they unveiled an ambitious plan, one that grew to goals of capturing and storing 15 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually from Midwest ethanol plants across five states (South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and Illinois). It was a vision brimming with promise and potential.

Timeline

• March 2021: Valero Energy Corporation and BlackRock Global Energy & Power Infrastructure Fund III partnered with Navigator Energy Services to develop the Heartland Greenway project. This ambitious carbon capture pipeline system was envisioned to span over 1,200 miles across five Midwest states, with the capacity to store up to 5 million metric tons of CO2 carbon dioxide annually. Valero was expected to secure the majority of the initial system capacity, with operations slated to begin in late 2024.
• July 2021: Navigator enlisted the support of three industry-leading companies: Tenaska, Advanced Resources International ("ARI"), and Chabina Energy Partners. Their collaboration aimed to advance the execution of the Heartland Greenway CCS System, providing a long-term, cost-effective solution to reduce carbon footprints while maximizing end-product value.
• October 2021: Navigator received necessary board approvals to proceed with the Heartland Greenway following a successful initial binding open season. The project now was set to span approximately 1,300 miles across five Midwest states, capturing and sequestering up to 15 million metric tons of CO2 annually upon full expansion.
• November 2021: Navigator entered an agreement with OCI N.V.’s Iowa Fertilizer Company for CO2 transportation and storage services. This partnership, backed by BlackRock's GEPIF III and anchored by Valero, sought to add an additional 1,130,000 metric tons of CO2 annually.
• March 2022: Navigator signed Letters of Intent with four national labor unions for the construction of the Heartland Greenway. These agreements marked a significant step in the project's progress, supporting the creation of up to 8,000 high-quality construction jobs and capturing up to fifteen million metric tons of CO2 per year.
• May 2022: Navigator secured a long-term agreement with Big River Resources, LLC and Big River United Energy, LLC. The agreement aimed to provide turnkey carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) services.
• June 2022: Navigator signed a Letter of Intent with POET for CCUS services, targeting approximately five million metric tons of biogenic CO2 annually.
• January 2023: Navigator made substantial progress in securing pipeline right-of-way easements, storage pore space, and well-sites. Plans for an expanded permit filing with the Illinois Commerce Commission were underway.

• Early 2023: Anti-CO2 pipeline sentiment grows throughout the region. This is seen with grassroots efforts, increased signage such as the image above, and speakers at local events across the Midwest against the installation of CO2 pipelines in the region. It's important to note that many of the states involved in both the Summit and Navigator pipelines had also been part of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) permitting process, which faced approval difficulties due to health and safety concerns, tribal land issues, and eminent domain disputes. The DAPL experience, which included protests and even significant damages due to arson, still resonates with residents, adding to the complexity of pipeline projects in the region. Dozens of lawsuits are filed across multiple states, as each of the states have differing processes for pipeline permitting, evaluation, and eminent domain authority.
• August 2023: Summit Carbon Solutions (a similar, multistate CO2 pipeline in the Corn Belt) faced a setback when their request for a route permit and corridor compatibility certificate was denied by the North Dakota Public Service Commission. This marked an early sign of challenges ahead from regulatory bodies in the face of growing anti-pipeline and anti-eminent domain sentiments across the Midwest.
• September 2023: South Dakota Public Utilities Commission denies Navigator's permit to build and operate a CO2 pipeline in the state, where 112 miles would cross the state and connect their pipeline with three ethanol plants in the state. Summit was also denied permits in South Dakota. Shortly after this news in a unanimous decision. Navigator filed a request with the Iowa Utilities Board to pause their permit application.
• October 2023: Despite challenges in development, particularly in South Dakota and Iowa due to regulatory and government processes, Navigator decided to cancel the Heartland Greenway project. The cancellation was not entirely unexpected, given the challenges faced in obtaining permits along the proposed route, similar to Summit Carbon Solutions. While losing a pipeline application hearing is not necessarily a death knell, Navigator chose to cancel its project due to "unpredictable nature of the regulatory and government processes." Meanwhile, Summit remains hopeful about its project, though they have also announced a delay in anticipated start to 2026 (original start from first press releases had Summit shovel-ready in 2023).

This is a humbling tale that underscores the paramount significance of community buy-in and the regulatory landscape in shaping the trajectory of environmental initiatives. It is a poignant reminder of the intricate journey towards a sustainable future.

As a final note to my network, Navigator has recently released a pool of talented professionals, including pipeline engineers, landmen, project managers, CO2 subsurface experts, and CO2 utilization experts. If you have a need for exceptional CO2 talent to combat climate change, please reach out, and I will facilitate connections.

Rest in peace, Heartland Greenway. Though your dreams were left unfulfilled, may your vision continue to inspire countless others.