(Iowa) Legislators, counties, conservation groups and landowners have asked state regulators to reconsider their permit approval for an expansive carbon dioxide pipeline system in Iowa.
A total of eight requests were filed with the Iowa Utilities Commission in the past week before a procedural deadline on Monday, and they are likely precursors to lawsuits in state court.
The commission last month approved a proposal by Summit Carbon Solutions to construct about 690 miles of pipe in Iowa to transport captured carbon dioxide from ethanol plants. The company has already sought to expand its footprint by more than 300 feet to connect to more of the facilities.
The reconsideration requests were filed by:
— Sierra Club of Iowa, a conservation group that has been key to organizing opposition to the project.
— Republican Legislative Intervenors for Justice, a group of 26 state representatives and 11 state senators who oppose the use of eminent domain for the project.
— Brian Jorde, an attorney who is the leading representative of affected landowners who oppose the project.
— Tim Whipple, an attorney who represents Dickinson, Emmet, Floyd, Kossuth, Shelby, Woodbury and Wright counties.
— Hardin County
— Gordon Garrison, a landowner in Emmet County.
— Gregory and Erica Kracht, landowners in Lyon County.
— Bold Iowa, which was originally formed to oppose the Dakota Access oil pipeline. It advocates for climate change solutions and opposes eminent domain for the pipelines.
Opposition to the use of eminent domain — in which Summit will be able to force unwilling landowners to host its pipeline network — is a common thread of the objections.
The three-member IUC has 30 days to respond to the requests, after which the groups can take their objections to court.
Summit wants to lay about 2,500 miles of pipe in five states to transport the greenhouse gas to North Dakota for underground storage. It has not yet obtained permits in North and South Dakota, which is a requirement for the company to start construction in Iowa.
Photo Courtesy of Jared Strong
