Pipeline Safety Rollbacks Put Mississippi at Risk Again

pipeline rules inspired by CO2 leaks in Mississippi, Louisiana

Pipeline Disaster in Mississippi Sparks Demand for Stronger Laws

Mississippi has seen the dangers of CO2 pipelines firsthand. A rupture in 2020 sent 45 people to the hospital. Residents collapsed on the streets. First responders struggled to breathe. The gas spread silently. The town became a death trap in minutes.

Federal regulators finally had a plan. They proposed new safety rules. The rules would have forced pipeline companies to train emergency responders. They would have improved communication with the public. They would have held companies accountable.

But Trump’s administration just killed those rules.

Pipeline Regulations Scrapped as Industry Influence Grows

The rules were set to take effect. Then, Trump froze all pending regulations. A second order eliminated any rule that hurt industry profits. The new head of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Paul Roberti, has strong ties to the industry. Under Trump’s first term, safety enforcement dropped. Now, it’s happening again.

Mississippi residents are left vulnerable. Companies get fewer restrictions. Communities get more risks.

Pipeline Expansion Continues While Safety Standards Lag

CO2 pipelines are expanding fast. Right now, the U.S. has 5,000 miles of pipelines. By 2050, that number could jump to 66,000 miles. Companies are rushing to build more.

Supporters say carbon capture will fight climate change. But moving CO2 under high pressure is dangerous. Unlike oil and gas, CO2 doesn’t burn. It spreads invisibly. It suffocates anything in its path. Mississippi has already seen the worst-case scenario.

Pipeline Accidents Are Rising as Mississippi Sees More Leaks

Since 2010, there have been 76 CO2 pipeline accidents. More than 67,000 barrels of CO2 have been released. ExxonMobil subsidiary Denbury Inc. is responsible for 54,000 barrels of those leaks.

Denbury’s network failed in Satartia, Mississippi. It failed again in Louisiana. A Denbury one ruptured in April 2024. Residents had no warning. They felt lightheaded and dizzy. No alarms were in place. People found out through Facebook posts.

These pipelines are not safe. Without stronger regulations, more disasters will happen.

Pipeline Safety Advocates Fight for Stronger Laws

Community leaders are demanding change. Roishetta Ozane, a local activist, said it best: “There should have been alarms. People should have known.”

Pipeline companies cannot keep operating without oversight. Federal regulators must enforce stronger safety rules. Mississippi deserves protection. Without new laws, communities remain at risk.

t.fellner