Speaker
Description
As carbon capture and storage (CCS) emerges as a key strategy to mitigate climate change, CO2 pipeline networks are expanding rapidly across the United States. However, the construction and operation of these pipelines pose significant environmental, social, and economic challenges, particularly in rural and agricultural regions. This study examines the social and environmental impacts of a proposed CO2 pipeline in the Midwest USA, covering Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska 
. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), analyzing spatial patterns of demographic vulnerability, land use conflicts, economic displacement, and environmental risks along the pipeline route.
The study hypothesizes that marginalized and low-income communities are disproportionately affected by CO2 pipeline development due to existing socioeconomic disparities and limited access to mitigation resources. Additionally, the potential for land use conflicts in agricultural regions where pipeline construction may disrupt farming activities and alter local land values. To assess these impacts, this research employs spatial analysis techniques, incorporating census data, land cover classifications, and socioeconomic indicators to identify at-risk communities and ecologically sensitive areas.
The counties in the eastern part of the study area (Minnesota and Iowa) tend to have higher population densities, younger demographics, and better health and economic conditions compared to the western states (South Dakota, North Dakota, and Nebraska), where communities are more vulnerable due to aging populations, lower incomes, and limited healthcare access. Our results reveal a negative correlation between population density and health vulnerability 
, suggesting that rural, low-density areas face higher risks due to inadequate infrastructure and social services. Furthermore, economic displacement analysis, incorporating factors such as property values, vacancy rates (, and bankruptcy data , highlights regions with higher susceptibility to financial instability due to pipeline development. In terms of environmental risks, our land use analysis identifies prime farmlands and critical ecological zones that could be adversely affected by pipeline construction, raising concerns about soil degradation, water contamination, and habitat disruption
. Given these challenges, we recommend targeted mitigation strategies, including adaptive land management policies, equitable compensation programs for affected communities, and improved stakeholder engagement to ensure sustainable development. By integrating GIS-based spatial analysis with socioeconomic and environmental data, this study provides valuable insights for policymakers, planners, and researchers working at the intersection of infrastructure development, environmental justice, and regional sustainability, underscoring the need for comprehensive impact assessments and active planning strategies to balance carbon reduction initiatives with local community well-being and environmental preservation.
Keywords:CO2 pipeline, carbon capture and storage, GIS, environmental justice, land use, economic displacement.
| Keywords | CO2 pipeline;GIS;environmental justice;land use;economic. |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
