Summit Carbon Solutions announces a new partnership with Northern Plains Nitrogen (NPN) in its carbon capture and storage project, which is focused on decarbonizing the agriculture and biofuels industries.
NPN is developing a world-scale blue ammonia plant near Grand Forks, ND, which will supply a range of low carbon nitrogen-based fertilizer products to farmers in under-served markets in the northern U.S. and Canada. The project site has been acquired and necessary permits have been received to begin site work.
According to a report at the Grand Forks Herald, Larry Mackie, NPN's chief operating officer said that as fundraising continues, the company has stayed on top of other planning and organizational aspects — including engineering — in the interim.
Asked if he could give an estimate on when the first work might begin on the proposed Grand Forks fertilizer plant, Mackie answered “this year.”
“We’re shovel-ready right now. If we had the financing, we’d be moving dirt tomorrow,” Mackie told the Herald. “We have done a tremendous amount of engineering and other permitting work on this project. We’re ready to go. We just need the money.”
NPN’s plant is being designed with the latest and most efficient production processes in the world, says Don Pottinger, CEO of NPN.
“Carbon capture and storage is a significant opportunity to improve economic and environmental outcomes utilizing safe and proven technologies," says Pottinger. "By partnering with Summit Carbon Solutions to capture, transport and permanently store carbon dioxide, we will further reduce the carbon intensity of our products.”
Midwest Carbon Express
Summit Carbon Solutions is developing the largest carbon capture and storage project in the world, which will have the capacity to capture and permanently store 12 million tons of carbon dioxide every year.
“NPN and Summit Carbon Solutions share the same goal of lowering the carbon footprint of agriculture while supporting farmers,” says Jim Pirolli, chief commercial officer of Summit Carbon Solutions.
“Whether that’s done by delivering sustainable fertilizer products to enhance yields or by improving access for ethanol plants across the Midwest to premium low carbon fuel markets.”
NPN will capture 500,000 tons/year of carbon dioxide emissions, which Summit Carbon Solutions will transport and store permanently in central North Dakota.
Last month, Summit Carbon Solutions announced significant milestones in development of its carbon storage facilities in North Dakota, having received state and local permits to collect 3D seismic data and begin drilling stratigraphic test wells, activities which are now underway.
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum notes projects like this highlight the opportunities for partnerships with other states and private industry to store carbon dioxide while creating jobs and generating revenue for North Dakotans.
"We can capitalize on our state’s geologic jackpot to store not only our own CO2 but also up to 50 years’ worth of our entire nation’s carbon output," says Burgum.
"As the first state in the nation to achieve primacy over carbon capture permitting, North Dakota is well-positioned to lead the nation in carbon capture, utilization and storage. We’re grateful for this investment by Northern Plains Nitrogen and Summit Carbon Solutions as we seek to grow our agriculture, energy and biofuels industries with environmental stewardship and positive economic impact for generations to come.”
Summit hires Carbon Program director
In related news, Summit Carbon Solutions has named Ben Nelson as director of Carbon Programs.
Nelson has over 20 years of experience leading business strategy and commercial execution, including 15 years at Nutrien and its portfolio companies such as Loveland Products. Most recently, he served as Project Lead for Sustainable Ag, having successfully launched and led Nutrien's grower-facing carbon sequestration program.
Nelson will play a critical role in Summit Carbon Solutions' efforts to become agriculture's premier decarbonization platform by helping growers understand and monetize their farm-level carbon impact, and support efforts through the value chain as global demand increases for low-carbon products and high-quality removal credits.
"Summit Carbon Solutions is positioned to work with many stakeholders, influencing policy and practices that drive carbon removal and economic benefits across the ag supply chain," says Nelson. "The 31 ethanol plant partners that have already committed to Summit Carbon Solutions are connected to 40 million acres of farmland across Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota."
