Congressional laws passed in recent years have provided multibillion dollar federal tax credit incentives focused and driving attempts to store CO2 underground in an attempt to address some of the factors related to increases in atmospheric CO2 levels contributing to global warming. These laws have increased needs to transport CO2 by transmission pipelines to reach such sequestration sites. Current CO2 transmission pipeline mileage is slightly over 5000 but it is estimated that well over 50,000 miles of CO2 pipeline will be needed. A short discussion of the many shortcomings in present pipeline safety regulations, is presented, including a brief discussion of a 2022 paper related to pipeline safety regulations after investigation of a massive CO2 release rupture in February 2020 in Sartartia, MS that spread many miles.

Richard Kuprewicz is president of Accufacts Inc. based in Washington State, providing independent “Clear Knowledge in the Over Information Age.” He brings over 50 years experience in the energy industry offering special focus on appropriate hazardous material based pipeline infrastructure design and operation in areas of unique population density or of an environmentally sensitive nature. He has represented numerous parties concerning sensitive energy matters and authored many papers related to pipelines. The vast majority of clients are public citizens, or representatives of local city, county, state, or federal governmental agencies, or organizations that need highly specialized expertise regarding pipeline matters. He is currently serving as a representative of the public on the federal level Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee (THLPSSC) an advisory committee assisting PHMSA in pipeline safety regulatory development. At the state level, he has also served as a member, including chairman, of the Washington State Citizens Committee on Pipeline Safety. Members of this Governor appointed Committee advise local, state, and federal organizations and agencies on all aspects of hazardous pipeline matters.