DES MOINES, Iowa — Environmental advocates from around the state met at the monthly Iowa Utilities Board meeting Tuesday to discuss concerns about eminent domain regarding three proposed carbon pipelines. Following the meeting, the group rallied in a car caravan toward the governor's mansion.
The rally comes a year after Summit Carbon Solutions announced a 2,000 mile pipeline that would go through five states. In Iowa alone, the project spans nearly 700 miles and impacts 30 counties.
Currently, the project is under review by the Iowa Utilities Board after 76% of Iowa counties impacted by the proposed pipeline route submitted formal objections.
Alongside the Summit project are proposed plans for carbon pipelines from Navigator CO2 Ventures and ADM in partnership with Wolf Carbon Solutions U.S.
Carbon capture is a process in which carbon dioxide emissions are removed and then transferred along pipelines to be stored, normally underground, elsewhere. Protestors cited public health safety, farmland protection and concerns about eminent domain as reasons to oppose the pipelines.
"This is literally a danger to our communities, a danger to our land. And that's why we're here: because we're both born and raised on a farm. And we see the effect this is going to have and the concern to our neighbors and things like that," said James Norris, a Montgomery County resident. "I mean, that's why we're here. We love our neighbors and our communities. And we love the land."
According to a Food & Water Action polling, 80% of Iowa voters do not endorse eminent domain for the Summit project. The other two pipelines have also not been well-received, with 57% of all Iowa counties impacted by carbon pipelines voicing formal objections.
Once the IUB holds a public hearing, they will hear evidence both for and against the proposed pipeline as well as testimonies before arriving at a final decision.
Summit's pipeline is expected to be operational in 2024, the earliest of any of the projects.