UW School of Energy Resources Releases Community Resource Guide for CO2 Pipelines

The University of Wyoming’s School of Energy Resources (SER) recently released a new resource guide for Wyoming landowners that addresses frequently asked questions regarding carbon dioxide (CO₂) pipelines.

The publication, “What Every Wyoming Community Should Know About Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Pipelines,” provides a general overview of the where, why and how of CO₂ transport, and includes sections addressing safety concerns, siting and permitting, and landowner guidance.

Part of a community guide series spearheaded by SER’s Jurisprudence of Underground Law and Energy (JOULE) research group, the publication was written based on research prepared by Alyssa Romero, a UW College of Law graduate from Littleton, Colo., for an independent study during her final year of law school. Tara Righetti, an SER professor of law and JOULE director, supervised the collaborative project, with contributions from Maddie Lewis and Scarlett Forrest, both SER research scientists; as well as Lainee Jones, a current third-year law student from Pueblo, Colo.

“CO₂ pipelines are critical for enhanced oil recovery and the development of new low-carbon industries in Wyoming,” Righetti says. “Communities where new infrastructure is proposed understandably have questions. This guide is intended to provide accessible and relevant information to empower Wyoming voters, communities and landowners to make informed decisions about CO₂ pipeline projects and policies.”

As new developments occur at the local and federal levels related to CO₂, JOULE’s research team regularly provides updates to the published guides to ensure that Wyomingites have the most current information. The team has previously released a guide dedicated to questions regarding carbon capture, utilization and storage.

“The energy landscape is dynamic, and there are constantly new information and legal decisions up for consideration,” Lewis says. “We created the JOULE community resource guide series to make our findings user-friendly to people in communities where new energy technology projects are being developed.”

JOULE continues to be engaged in research topics related to CO₂ pipelines. Righetti and Lewis will present information about the new pipeline guide and their most recent work at an April University of Oklahoma symposium.

The guide can be downloaded directly from the SER website, or a hard copy can be requested by emailing Christine Reed, SER director of outreach, at christine.reed@uwyo.edu.

About Jurisprudence of Underground Energy and Law

The JOULE group conducts innovative legal research that advances the understanding of the rules and relationships governing the use of the subsurface and development of energy and natural resources. JOULE engages in theoretical and applied research together with its partners from industry, government, nonprofit organizations and academia.