Change in Leadership for Iowa Utilities Commission, Impact on Summit Pipeline, If Any, Unknown
There’s a change in leadership at the Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC).
In April of 2023, Governor Kim Reynolds appointed Eric Helland to lead the commission as it reviewed — and ultimately approved — a construction permit for the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline. Reynolds had nominated Helland to another term as commission chair, but the Republican-led Iowa Senate never voted on his appointment.
Monday (05.19), Reynolds appointed Sarah Martz, who’s been on the commission for the past two years, to be its chair. Reynolds said Martz, who worked for Alliant Energy for over a decade, has the background to lead the IUC as it navigates increased demand for electricity.
While Helland’s appointment was not voted on last week, the Iowa Senate confirmed Joshua Byrnes of Osage for another term on the IUC. Helland will remain on the commission, with his term to expire on April 30, 2029.
State Senator Sandy Salmon of Janesville has said Byrnes was critical to getting the stipulation that Summit must get permits in South and North Dakota before they can build the pipeline in Iowa, which includes a branch through Chickasaw, Floyd and Cerro Gordo counties. Summit also looks to add more ethanol plants to its project, including Valero Renewables near Charles City, Absolute Energy near Saint Ansgar, and Poet Bioprocessing near Shell Rock and Fairbank.
Meanwhile, it remains to be seen if the Governor will sign off on a bill the Senate passed that would make it harder for companies to seize property through eminent domain for carbon pipelines and other energy-related infrastructure.
