Got CO2?

Posted by egable on July 9th, 2007 filed in National monuments

A 65-year-old pipeline that runs through Canyons of the Ancients National Monument is leaking carbon dioxide — a contributor to global warming — but its owner isn’t hurrying to make repairs, the Denver Post reported yesterday. Bureau of Land Management natural resources officer Bob Salter called the CO2 operation “the worst environmental degradation” he has seen, calling it a “dangerous and dirty operation.” Canyons manager LouAnn Jacobson said the company that operates the pipeline — British Oxygen Corp. — has 14 months worth of noncompliance notices and Salter accused BLM of not pushing hard enough for the company to make repairs. For its part, BOC says it is working toward making all the repairs and a contractor shortage, not company malfeasance, is responsible for the delay. The company could face penalties and fines amounting to $150,000 if the problem is not addressed.