North Central Iowans discuss CO2 pipelines
On February 15, about 50 people from across North Central Iowa attended the ‘No Pipelines in Mitchell & Floyd Counties’ information meeting, organized by local residents and members of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement. Those running the meeting are calling for local protections for their communities against Summit Carbon Solution's proposed Absolute Energy CO2 Pipeline route. Thousands of Iowans oppose these projects because:
They are dangerous and potentially deadly,
They use technology that has consistently failed to reduce carbon emissions,
They would extract an estimated billion gallons of water per year,
They rely heavily on public money, while putting millions of dollars in the pockets of CEOs like Bruce Rastetter, and
They threaten the use of eminent domain, to take private property for a privately owned company’s gain.
Deb Freeman, an Iowa CCI member and impacted landowner from Mitchell County, shared why she opposes the CO2 pipeline:
“There are so many reasons why these pipeline projects are bad for the people and places we love. Safety, emergency preparedness, environmental impacts and water usage, the threat of eminent domain, threats of litigation on landowners and counties, a lack of transparency from Summit, and their deep financial interests that motivate them to pursue turning rural Iowa into a sacrifice zone for private profits. It seems like every week the list of reasons keeps on growing."
Lisa R, with locally impacted property, shared:
“No matter where you stand on the issue, one thing is agreed- that pipeline operations should be as safe as possible. Because the people and places we love are on the line. Throughout the nation, pipeline incidents occur weekly, if not daily. As more and more miles of pipe move closer to residential areas, businesses, and livestock, incidents of ruptures, leaks, or explosions are likely to increase. The Pipeline Safety Trust reported that pipeline safety has hardly improved since 2010. People have value, we are all stakeholders, and these companies are not being transparent with the risks.”
Margaret Meyer, Mitchell County Resident, said:
"Hazardous CO2 pipelines are different from other types of pipelines, such as those used for natural gas. Many experts consider the current regulations unequal to the deadly hazards of CO2. I have serious concerns about the pipeline proposed by Summit Carbon Solutions, LLC to run through Mitchell and Floyd counties. Who is looking out for public safety and protecting property rights?"
Kathy Carter has been fighting the CO2 Pipelines since she first learned in the summer of 2021 that Summit proposed to cross her Floyd County property. She stated:
"The landowners and Iowa residents that are joined in this fight come from all walks of life, all political views, all demographics. Fighting the misuse of eminent domain by a private company because we know it won't stop there- with just one company seizing private property. These pipelines are not of any public benefit. We know that ethanol will continue to thrive without these pipelines, unlike what Summit is telling us. Some of these landowners have a legacy on their land going back 50, 100, even 150 years, yet Summit and Govenor Reynolds claim it is "unfair" to change procedure for these companies "in midstream." After 50-150 years, it's the Govenor, Summit, and other legislators who are seeking to change the rules on us! How is that fair?"
Local folks in Mitchell County who are concerned about the pipeline can add their support by adding their name to a petition to County Supervisors here.