Iowa Ag Secretary Naig Weighs in on Carbon Pipelines Targeting North Iowa Counties

Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig is trying to take an objective look at the possible construction of underground carbon capture pipelines in the state, including two projects targeting Floyd County.

Naig says it certainly appears the carbon pipelines are important to the ethanol industry.

Naig notes that some three dozen ethanol plants in the state have signed on with companies proposing to build the carbon pipelines, which includes Valero Renewables near Charles City, Homeland Energy Solutions near New Hampton, Golden Grain Energy near Mason City and Poet Bioprocessing near Shell Rock.

While pipeline opposition has been louder than the support for them,  Naig says, if you are looking to sign a voluntary easement with any of the companies, be ready to get the best deal you can.

Naig adds that while the increased value of farmland in Iowa may give those who own land more negotiating power with the carbon pipeline companies, the high price for farmland is also making it harder for new farmers to get started.

Naig was in Charles City Wednesday (02.08) as the featured speaker at the Ag Producer Meeting hosted by First Citizens Bank at the Youth Enrichment Center on the Floyd County Fairgrounds. Prior to that, he visited Taste in Osage to learn more about the network of local farmers that source ingredients to the restaurant.