More IUB/Summit Pipeline Hearings Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

Witness testimony at the Summit Carbon Solutions’ carbon pipeline permit hearing is set to continue this week.

The Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) concluded the first three days of the proceedings last Thursday in Fort Dodge. Initial testimony has come from landowners who have not signed voluntary easements along the proposed route for Summit’s almost 700 miles of underground carbon capture pipeline in Iowa. The company will seek eminent domain to secure the remaining land easements they would need for construction.

The very first witness to weigh in was Floyd County farmer/landowner Jessica Marson, who addressed the IUB last Tuesday.

The first to testify on Wednesday, Day Two, was Charles City Area Development Corporation Executive Director Tim Fox, who expressed concerns on the economic implications of Summit’s proposed pipeline route dissecting the Avenue of the Saints Development Park on the City’s southside.

Three more days of testimony are slated for Tuesday (08.29), Wednesday (08.30) and Thursday (08.31) at the Cardiff Event Center in Fort Dodge. Proceedings begin at 8 am and could go as late as 6 pm each day.

Summit’s CO2 pipeline ethanol plant partners include Homeland Energy Solutions near New Hampton, Absolute Energy near St. Ansgar, and Golden Grain Energy near Mason City.  North Iowa counties targeted for its proposed route include Chickasaw, Floyd, Mitchell, Butler, Cerro Gordo, Hancock and Franklin.