Floyd County Supervisors to Register Carbon Pipeline Concerns with IUB

The Floyd County Supervisors have not come out for or against the building of carbon capture pipelines in the County, but they do have construction concerns to express to the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB). 

Both Summit Carbon Solutions and Navigator CO2 Ventures have proposed building underground pipelines in Floyd County to transport carbon dioxide in liquid form. The IUB ultimately decides on permits and whether to invoke eminent domain to build on land the companies don’t have voluntary easements with landowners.

Supervisor Linda Tjaden says the time has come to file their concerns with the IUB.

The Board voted to send one letter to the IUB regarding Summit that added certain economic concerns with that project and a separate letter geared towards Navigator.  

If the IUB approves either or both pipelines, the County would be required to hire an inspector to monitor construction. The Board this week heard a presentation from the engineering firm, Clapsaddle Garber Associates of Marshalltown to provide that service.

Lee Gallatine told the Board that once construction begins, neither the inspector nor the County has much power to stop it.

Supervisors also cannot adopt an ordinance that prevents the pipelines from being built in the County.