Home / Opinion / Letters to the Editor

Carbon pipelines are in the news, as they relate to "eminent domain." The original intent was to sequester carbon dioxide gases (CO2) produced by the creation of ethanol by burying the liquidized gas in the ground. Several companies want to invest in these projects, including Wolf, which plans to cross Linn County to bury the liquid below rock layers in Illinois.

But some of this liquid could be pumped at very high pressure into existing areas of "natural gas" with the idea of extracting more gas. This gas emits methane, a much stronger atmospheric pollutant than CO2, and is in fact a fossil fuel usage, which we should be reducing. The pressure in these pipelines is far higher than for just oil.

Sadly, every step in the process has problems. Digging deep canals interferes with precious soil layers and endangers waterways. Growing corn just to make ethanol increases usage of nitrogen which also upsets soil and water balance, and disrupts wildlife habitat. CO2 emissions are increased from the transport and machine production of the ethanol.

These emission figures need to be in the public domain as part of the discussion of the value of interfering with nature. for short term gain. Every indicator tells us that we have already upset our planet — our tornadoes, floods, droughts, fires and the extinctions of fish, fauna and flora.

In 2023, we must be ready think afresh and to adapt to protect our world.

Delivered to your inbox daily

You will begin to receive our Daily Opinion updates and our topical Pints & Politics newsletter. Add newsletters@thegazette.com to your contacts.

Opinion content represents the viewpoint of the author or The Gazette editorial board. You can join the conversation by submitting a letter to the editor or guest column or by suggesting a topic for an editorial to editorial@thegazette.com

Jim Highly Letters to the Editor Jan. 12, 2023 9:20 am 10h ago

Michael Fritz Letters to the Editor Jan. 12, 2023 6:00 am 19h ago

Staff Editorial Staff Editorials Jan. 12, 2023 6:00 am 1d ago

Anne Michael Letters to the Editor Jan. 11, 2023 6:00 am 2d ago

Letters to the Editor Jan. 10, 2023 6:00 am 2d ago

Letters to the Editor Jan. 8, 2023 7:00 am 4d ago

Todd Dorman Staff Columnists Jan. 11, 2023 5:09 pm 1d ago

Guest Columnists Jan. 11, 2023 1:38 pm 1d ago

Guest Columnists Jan. 11, 2023 11:55 am 1d ago

Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau News 19m ago 19m ago

Higher Ed 27m ago 27m ago

Crime and Courts 53m ago 53m ago

The Gazette is Iowa’s independent, employee-owned source for local, state, and national news coverage.