Iowa Regulators to Begin Summit Carbon Capture Pipeline Hearing Aug. 22 in Fort Dodge

June 19, 2023

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by Donnelle Eller (Des Moines Register) State regulators plan to hold a hearing beginning Aug. 22 in Fort Dodge on Summit Carbon Solutions' $4.5 billion proposal to build a roughly 680-mile carbon capture pipeline across Iowa, according to an order released Friday.

The Iowa Utilities Board, which initially indicated it would start the hearing in October, said it plans to first hear from Iowans whose land is targeted under eminent domain. If granted eminent domain power, Summit would be able to force unwilling property owners to sell it access for the project.

Two of the board's three members of the board have been replaced since it issued its preliminary schedule in February. By starting in August, "landowners who seek to testify at the hearing may do so without the conflict of peak harvest months," the board said in its order.
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Pipeline backers say lowering the carbon footprint of ethanol and the other products via the federally subsidized pipelines will keep them viable amid what are expected to be stricter limits on carbon emissions to fight climate change. Opponents say they're concerned about safety and damage to their land from the pipelines. READ MORE

Summit Carbon wants to add ‘lateral’ pipeline through Floyd and Mitchell counties to Absolute Energy ethanol plant (Charles City Press)

Iowa regulators block Steve King's efforts to join Summit carbon capture pipeline hearing (Des Moines Register)

Regulators deny Steve King’s request to participate in pipeline hearing (Iowa Capital Dispatch/Quad City Times)

State regulators rebuff second pipeline company’s proposed schedule -- The Iowa Utilities Board rejected a request to meet next week to discuss a schedule that will dictate the remainder of Navigator CO2 Ventures’ carbon dioxide pipeline permit process, according to board documents. (Successful Farming)

Carbon Pipeline Hearings in Iowa: Summit Carbon Pipeline Faces Another Crucial Test With Hearings in Iowa (DTN Progressive Farmer)

Summit Carbon CEO: Our carbon capture investment is earning Iowans' support -- By ensuring the long-term future of ethanol and supporting the agricultural economy, these projects are crucial for Iowa and the Midwest's success in the future. (Des Moines Register)

Iowa regulators reject efforts to delay hearing for controversial carbon capture pipeline (Des Moines Register)

Summit attorney expects pipeline hearing to last six weeks: The evidentiary hearing started Tuesday in Fort Dodge (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Economist says carbon pipeline decision may impact the entire ethanol industry (MyStar106)

Excerpt from Iowa Capital Dispatch/Quad City Times: A former northwest Iowa congressman who has recently spoken out against the use of eminent domain to build carbon dioxide pipelines will be excluded from participating in an upcoming permit hearing as an “intervenor,” according to the Iowa Utilities Board.

Former Congressman Steve King, a Kiron Republican, is among dozens of people who petitioned to participate as intervenors in Summit Carbon Solutions’ permit process.

Those who are granted intervenor status are generally directly affected by a pipeline proposal or represent a group of people who are affected. They can present witnesses and prepared testimony and can cross-examine witnesses during the final evidentiary hearing. They have the potential to elongate the proceedings.

The final evidentiary hearing for Summit is set to begin in about a month in Fort Dodge, and there are more than 1,000 parcels of land that are subject to eminent domain requests from the company for easements.

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“Mr. King is concerned about federal constitutional issues relating to the use of eminent domain for Summit’s proposed hazardous liquid pipeline and the use of eminent domain for private gain against the clear constitutionally protected property rights of his former constituents on whose behalf he consistently advocates and consults,” wrote Anna Ryon, an attorney who represents King, in his request to intervene.

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“His history and commitment to the (ethanol) industry over five decades provides a broad and deep knowledge of the entire landscape of this contentious issue,” Ryon wrote.

But the IUB this week denied King’s intervenor request.

“The board finds Congressman King, while having a general interest in the docket, will not be affected by the board’s decision in this docket,” the IUB said in a Wednesday order. “Additionally, the board finds other parties to this proceeding also have raised constitutional claims and will adequately represent the interest in which Congressman King seeks to intervene on.” READ MORE

Excerpt from MyStar106: Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the board’s ultimate decision could have a tremendous impact on the Midwestern ethanol industry. “As part of the Inflation and Deficit Reduction Act passed in 2022 by the Biden Administration,” Goss says, “that calls for a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions from the ethanol plants. If you don’t do something about that — if they enforce reductions — that’s going to be a problem for ethanol, and, what’s a problem for ethanol is a problem for agriculture.”

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The first week of testimony was mostly from landowners and farmers who oppose the project, ridiculing what they say are scare tactics being used by the company. Many expressed fears about the potential impacts on land prices and on the environment.

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association issued a report in February saying 75% of the state’s ethanol production would contract or migrate out of the state if carbon sequestration projects are curtailed, leading many plants to shut down. READ MORE