IUB/Summit Pipeline Hearings Shine Light on Charles City
The Avenue of the Saints Development Park in Charles City was a topic of discussion Wednesday (09.06) at the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) hearing for Summit Carbon Solutions permit application to build an underground carbon capture pipeline in the state.
Eric Schovanec is Summit’s Senior Director for Pipeline and Facilities. He reviewed challenges for the company trying to reach a voluntary easement agreement with the Charles City Area Development Corporation (CCADC) to build the pipeline through the industrial park on the City’s southwest side.
Schovanec referenced those existing pipelines, which he felt shouldn’t have had an impact on negotiations with the CCADC.
Schovanec noted that Summit reached voluntary easements with landowners on both sides of Charles City’s development park, a claim challenged by Wally Taylor, attorney for the Sierra Club of Iowa, which opposes the pipeline. He said that puts the IUB in a corner when considering eminent domain by Summit to acquire the land they need for their proposed pipeline.
The IUB/Summit hearings concluded for the week on Friday (09.08) at the Cardiff Event Center in Fort Dodge. Proceedings are scheduled to continue into next week (0912-09.14).
