Summit Carbon Solutions’ plan to build a hazardous liquid pipeline through 29 counties, including several in north and northeast Iowa, has been approved by the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB).
Sections of Summit’s 688-mile route would go through Floyd, Chickasaw, Fayette, Bremer, Mitchell, Butler, Cerro Gordo, Hancock, Kossuth, Grundy and Franklin counties. Partner ethanol plants include Homeland Energy Solutions near Lawler, Valero Renewables near Charles City, Absolute Energy near St. Ansgar, Golden Grain Energy near Mason City, and Poet Bioprocessing near Shell Rock.
In response to the decision, Food & Water Watch Policy Director Jim Walsh said, “Summit’s massive carbon pipeline scam is nothing but a gift to Big Ag, poses substantial risks to public safety and will do little to nothing to reduce climate pollution.â€
Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw said, “We applaud the IUB for the thorough and fair process it took to reach this decision. We must not forget the overwhelming majority of impacted landowners support this project.â€
The IUB’s approval comes after the Boards of Supervisors in Floyd and Mitchell counties recently submitted their opposition to the IUB on the use of eminent domain to secure land from property owners opposed to the pipeline. The issue of eminent domain has been the biggest concern for landowners in the path of the pipeline.
