At least three dangerous carbon pipeline projects are currently targeting the state of Nebraska. They aim to partner with Midwest ethanol plants to capture their carbon emissions, and transport the hazardous waste via pipeline, to supposedly be stored forever in underground sequestration wells.

But CO2 pipelines are dangerous and under-regulated -- especially in Nebraska, where no state agency claims authority, no state permits are required, and landowners are left to fend for themselves in negotiations with corporations empowered by eminent domain to take their land against their will for these pipelines.

Landowners have grave safety concerns about carbon pipelines, especially in the wake of the 2020 pipeline rupture in Satartia, Mississippi that forced hundreds to evacuate and sent dozens to the hospital -- first responders said it looked like a scene from a "zombie movie" -- with some victims still experiencing negative health impacts to this day.

A bill introduced in the Nebraska Legislature, LB1140, would outright ban CO2 pipelines and carbon sequestration in the state.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Steve Erdman, told the Nebraska Examiner he felt compelled to pass this law because "state lawmakers didn’t realize the dangers presented by CO2 pipelines when they passed a law in 2021 that allows underground storage of carbon (with approval of the Nebraska Oil and Gas Commission)... "It's time to have a discussion (here)." [1]

Bold will deliver your petition signatures to Nebraska Senators on the day the bill has its public hearing before the Natural Resources Committee. We will also provide details on the day and time, so if you're able you can come to Lincoln and also testify in person at the hearing!

NO CO2 PIPELINES OR CARBON SEQUESTRATION IN NEBRASKA

• Protect Constitutional Property Rights: Carbon pipelines serve no public use or public good. Projects like the Summit CO2 pipeline should not be allowed to use eminent domain.  
• Landowner and Community Protections: Landowners in Nebraska have been harassed and threatened with eminent domain. In other states, the carbon pipeline companies have sued landowners over survey access, and sued counties that passed common-sense ordinances on pipelines to protect their communities. These projects require massive amounts of water from our already struggling aquifers. We do not have adequate protections in place for massive pipeline infrastructure impacts to our people, our land and our environment.
• Safety: Carbon pipelines are deadly. Thousands of Nebraskans live, work and recreate in areas along the route of proposed carbon pipelines. Much of Nebraska is served by underfunded and unprepared rural hospitals and volunteer Emergency Management Services. Nebraskans do not deserve to take on the risk and burden so carbon pipeline investors can profit.