(Red Oak) After hours of debate, the Iowa Senate narrowly passed a bill late Monday night to restrict the use of eminent domain for carbon sequestration pipelines. The measure passed 27-22 and now heads to the governor’s desk.
Among those closely watching the outcome was Jan Norris of West Township in Montgomery County. She and other pipeline opponents spent roughly 13 hours in the Senate gallery awaiting discussion on the bill. At Tuesday morning’s Montgomery County Board of Supervisors meeting, Norris noted that the bill passed without any amendments.
Although House File 639 doesn’t directly prohibit eminent domain for carbon pipelines, Norris said it includes some provisions that support property rights.
She expressed disappointment that their primary goal—a full ban on eminent domain for such projects—was not achieved. The bill’s fate now rests with Governor Kim Reynolds, who can sign it, veto it, or take no action.
Many landowners opposing the pipeline worry about potential damage to their land, decreased property values, and safety risks. On the other hand, supporters argue the pipeline would boost access to low-carbon ethanol markets, benefiting Iowa’s corn and soybean farmers.
The proposed pipeline would carry carbon dioxide captured from ethanol plants across Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and the Dakotas to underground storage in North Dakota. Although the Iowa Utilities Board granted the project eminent domain authority in June, construction cannot proceed until the company secures permits from North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota.
South Dakota recently denied Summit’s permit following the passage of a new state law banning the use of eminent domain for hazardous liquid carbon pipelines. Summit has announced plans to reapply.
