Carbon Pipeline Project Close to 50% Voluntary Easements in Chickasaw County

The company looking to build a carbon capture pipeline in Chickasaw County continues to seek voluntary easements with landowners along its proposed route.

Ben Fuller with Summit Carbon Solutions told the Chickasaw County Board of Supervisors Monday that they’re closing in on 50% of the easements needed in the county.

Fuller also touted the economic impact on the county according to the accounting firm, Ernst and Young.

If Summit’s construction permit is approved by the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB), its Midwest Carbon Express pipeline would begin with the Homeland Energy Solutions ethanol plant between Lawler and New Hampton as its easternmost starting point and build west from there.

The IUB isn’t expected to rule on the permit until early next year. If approved, Fuller says construction could begin by August 2023.

Fuller added that the company’s goal is to reach 100% voluntary easements before considering seeking eminent domain for the remaining easements.