Midwest Pipeline Heats Up the Carbon Capture Race

Carbon capture firm secures land deals as it lays groundwork for 2,500-mile CO₂ network

12 May 2025

Summit Carbon Solutions is moving forward with plans to build a 2,500-mile carbon dioxide pipeline across five US states, despite not yet receiving final regulatory approval. Backed by an early investment of $175mn and more than 1,300 voluntary land agreements, the company aims to create one of the country’s largest carbon capture and storage networks.

The project will connect ethanol plants in the Midwest to underground storage facilities, in an effort to lower industrial emissions and help producers maintain competitiveness amid tightening environmental regulations.

“By securing land rights early, we’re removing some of the biggest barriers to getting this infrastructure in place,” a Summit spokesperson told Iowa regulators during recent hearings. The company’s approach, focused on early outreach to landowners and pre-construction route planning, seeks to avoid the delays and disputes that have hindered similar carbon pipeline proposals.

The accelerated timeline reflects broader momentum across the US carbon capture sector, as companies look to de-risk projects and position themselves to benefit from federal tax incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act. Ethanol producers, in particular, view pipelines like Summit’s as critical for accessing low-carbon fuel markets and extending the life of their assets.

However, challenges remain. Regulatory scrutiny is ongoing, and some local communities have voiced concerns over safety and land use. Still, Summit’s early progress suggests a growing willingness among developers to invest heavily ahead of final approvals in order to stay ahead in the race for carbon infrastructure.

If completed, the pipeline could make the Midwest a key node in US carbon management. Its scale and early-stage coordination could offer a template for future projects seeking to balance commercial urgency with community engagement.