Navigator Hiding CO2 Pipeline Leak Science Because Citizens Are Stupid
Link to story at the Dakota Free Press
By Cory Allen Heidelberger
The Public Utilities Commission is holding hearings in Fort Pierre this week and likely next on the proposed Navigator Heartland Greenway carbon dioxide pipeline. Testifying yesterday, Navigator VP Elizabeth Burns-Thompson Told Commissioner Gary Hanson that the company will not share vital enviro-engineering information on what might happen if the pipeline ruptures saying we all are just too dumb to understand it:
Hanson also wondered why Navigator wanted its plume model overview kept confidential. Burns-Thompson said the complexity of the data and work was beyond the general public’s ability to understand [Bob Mercer, “Witness: Plume Modeling Too Complex for Public,” KELO-TV, 2023.07.25].
That’s funny: over a year ago, Navigator told Illinois landowner and likely pipeline neighbor Kathy Campbell that they would publish the plume modeling:
In May, Campbell emailed Navigator asking for their plume models, which would illustrate how carbon dioxide would be expected to spread in case of a rupture. Joshua Ward, a project supervisor representing the company, responded that: “The plume modeling has not been completed as of yet. Once the calculations have been finalized, Navigator will be sharing this data with all Stakeholders and Landowners. Navigator’s top priority at this time is landowner safety with the routing of the proposed pipeline through residential areas.”
When the company filed its application with the Illinois Commerce Commission in July, Campbell was frustrated to see that the filing noted the route was based in part on plume modeling. She said she got no response to her email on this note, but a Navigator surveyor “knocked on my door” soon after and told her that the plume models were being adjusted and would be shared.
“I have yet to see any plume models,” she said [Kari Lydersen, “Illinois Residents in Path of CO2 Pipeline Say Company Is Withholding Information,” Energy News Network, 2022.09.29].
Sure, modeling what happens when gas leaks from a pipeline is complex and costly, but complexity is no reason not to tell the public what that modeling shows. Navigator pays Burns-Thompson good money to explain complex issues to the lawmakers she lobbies all the time. Hiding complex data fuels more suspicion and opposition than any misunderstandings that might arise among us yokels from reading the complex data. Put out the data, put out the infographic explainers that Navigator PR make for a living, correct the misinterpretations and misrepresentations that may arise, and trust that interested reporters and citizens can make as much sense of the data as can the Public Utilities Commissioners whom they elect.
Good morning Cory
My bad I did on Free Soil Coalition post. Will fix it now. Thanks for the article.
So is navigator trying to down size the plum? Is that why they are hiding it? When they know darn well the landowners and Trent’s done our homework! We are not ignorant and going to roll over and believe all their crap! I was appalled with the PUC held information meetings in canton, Flandreau and Sioux Falls, how they paraded this cute young thing up in front of the farmers and landowners, claiming she grew up on a farm, knew all about agriculture etc! I wanted to ask her, how many hours she spent in a open tractor, with wind, eating dirt, trying to see through the dirt, having your body hurt from bouncing around on the tractor all day! Only to go home, to milk cows, complete the other chores on the farm, going into the house late at night too tired to eat, just clean up and go to bed, only to repeat the same thing in the morning! Farmers and landowners aren’t dumb, we see right through this BS, just like how dangerous and deadly this pipeline is, making the excuse not to release the map to the route of their pipeline, because of terrorist attacked? ! If they have nothing to hid, why don’t they publish it? What we do know, God is with us, He is the one who has given us the strength to keep his commandments, to remind them, “Thou shalt not steal”, “ thou shalt not convent thy neighbor!” God had given us the strength to feed and His people and to PROTECT His people!