State Sen. Salmon Talks Eminent Domain Concerns at IUB/Summit Carbon Pipeline Hearing

District 29 State Senator Sandy Salmon of Waverly testified during Tuesday’s (09.19) session of the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) hearing regarding the permit request by Summit Carbon Solutions to build some 680 miles of underground carbon pipeline in Iowa.

Salmon’s district includes all of Chickasaw County and most of Floyd County, with Summit targeting to build its pipeline through both counties. Its easternmost starting point is the Homeland Energy Solutions ethanol plant between Lawler and New Hampton.

During her testimony, Salmon expressed concerns over constituents having to give in to Summit’s pressure to sign a voluntary easement to allow the company to build the pipeline through their land.

Salmon also said she was disappointed that the senate failed to address eminent domain legislation during legislative session earlier this year.

House District 58 Representative Charley Thomson of Charles City was also slated to testify Tuesday, but had to postpone his appearance until next week due to the death of his father, Bob Thomson, who passed away last Friday at the age of 97.

This week’s IUB proceedings will continue through Thursday (09.21) at the Cardiff Event Center in Fort Dodge.