Several groups that oppose the recently-approved Summit Carbon Solutions carbon dioxide pipeline network in Iowa plan to launch challenges to that permit that will likely won’t be decided for months or over a year in court.
Last month, the Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC), then known as the Iowa Utilities Board, said it would issue a permit for Summit’s initial proposal in Iowa with some conditions, including that no construction could begin until the company has secured approval for the project in North and South Dakota.
The deadline to ask the IUC to reconsider that final order is Monday (07.15), which is the first step to challenging it.
That’s State Representative Charley Thomson of Charles City, also an attorney, who’s leading a group of Republican state legislators opposed to Summit’s use of eminent domain for pipeline construction. He also acknowledges that several other portions of his party support the Summit project, including Governor Kim Reynolds.
The legislators, the Sierra Club of Iowa, a large group of affected landowners represented by attorney Brian Jorde, and seven counties affected by the project have indicated they will seek reconsiderations. The counties, which include Floyd County, were the first to file a request on Friday (07.12), arguing largely against the use of eminent domain by Summit.
Still, representatives from all four groups are doubtful that their reconsideration request will change the IUC’s permit decision.
