Iowa regulators approved an application from Summit Carbon Solutions to build a carbon dioxide capture pipeline across the state on Tuesday, capping three years of proceedings and debate and marking the first major approval for the five-state project.
The Iowa Utilities Board, in a 507-page order approving the project, found that the pipeline will “promote the public convenience and necessity” and found Summit could be granted the right of eminent domain to involuntarily take land — with compensation — for the project. There are 859 remaining parcels of land along the route where owners have not signed voluntary easements with the company, according to the order.
"The momentum will continue as we prepare to file our South Dakota permit application in early July," said Summit Carbon Solutions CEO Lee Blank in a statement Tuesday. "We look forward to engaging with the state throughout this process and are confident in a successful outcome."
James Powell is chief operating officer of Summit Carbon Solutions. (Screenshot of IUB livestream)
The proposed pipeline would cover more than 680 miles in 29 Iowa counties. Summit plans to connect to 57 ethanol plants in Iowa to capture CO2 emissions and shuttle them to an underground reservoir in North Dakota.
The pipeline will have the capacity to move 18 million metric tons of carbon dioxide every year, Summit has said.
The project has encountered stark resistance from environmentalists, who argue it will not seriously address greenhouse gas emissions, and from landowners opposed to the use of eminent domain.
State lawmakers have attempted to curtail the eminent domain authority of the projects. Over the last three years, the Iowa House passed three largely bipartisan measures to limit eminent domain for the projects, but the bills have died in the Senate.
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The Iowa Utilities Board, in a 507-page order approving the project, found that the pipeline will “promote the public convenience and necessity” and found Summit could be granted the right of eminent domain to involuntarily take land — with compensation — for the project. There are 859 remaining parcels of land along the route where owners have not signed voluntary easements with the company, according to the order.
"The momentum will continue as we prepare to file our South Dakota permit application in early July," said Summit Carbon Solutions CEO Lee Blank in a statement Tuesday. "We look forward to engaging with the state throughout this process and are confident in a successful outcome."
James Powell is chief operating officer of Summit Carbon Solutions. (Screenshot of IUB livestream)
The proposed pipeline would cover more than 680 miles in 29 Iowa counties. Summit plans to connect to 57 ethanol plants in Iowa to capture CO2 emissions and shuttle them to an underground reservoir in North Dakota.
The pipeline will have the capacity to move 18 million metric tons of carbon dioxide every year, Summit has said.
The project has encountered stark resistance from environmentalists, who argue it will not seriously address greenhouse gas emissions, and from landowners opposed to the use of eminent domain.
State lawmakers have attempted to curtail the eminent domain authority of the projects. Over the last three years, the Iowa House passed three largely bipartisan measures to limit eminent domain for the projects, but the bills have died in the Senate.
Iowa regulators approve Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline
The proposed pipeline would cover more than 680 miles in 29 Iowa counties.
