IUB Sets Tentative Dates for Public Comments on Summit Carbon Pipeline

The Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) has set tentative dates for the public to voice their concerns regarding the construction of an underground carbon capture pipeline by Summit Carbon Solutions.

Summit wants its Midwest Carbon Express pipeline to start with the Homeland Energy Solutions ethanol plant between Lawler and New Hampton, then go west through Chickasaw, Floyd and Cerro Gordo counties among others.

The IUB held a technical conference earlier this month to hear from Summit as well as representatives for the counties impacted by the pipeline to establish preliminary hearings in advance of a meeting in October on Summit’s permit request.  

The IUB tentatively scheduled public comment meetings for October 16 to 19th in Webster County, which provides a central location for those targeted by the  project. Summit’s Bret Dublinske expressed objection to the timing.

Wright County Supervisor Dean Kluss also opposed the schedule.

Given the fervor the carbon pipeline projects have generated, another representative wondered if four days would be sufficient to hear all public comment.

Among those in attendance was Timothy Whipple with Ahlers and Cooney, PC of Des Moines, who is representing Floyd, Butler, Bremer and Delaware counties at IUB proceedings involving the pipelines.