AMES, Iowa — The Iowa Utilities Board on Tuesday approved Summit Carbon Solutions' CO2 pipeline project, though there are still several more hoops to jump through.
Summit said the approval for this project is a "significant milestone" for not only themselves, but "the entire agriculture industry" as well.
The approval for the project in Iowa comes shortly after successful reapplication hearings for Summit's North Dakota pipeline permit with the North Dakota Public Service Commission.
The $5.5 billion, 2,500-mile (4,023.36 kilometers) pipeline network would carry planet-warming CO2 emissions, liquefied under pressure, from more than 50 ethanol plants in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota to be stored deep underground in central North Dakota.
"The momentum will continue as we prepare to file our South Dakota permit application in early July, we look forward to engaging with the state throughout this process and are confident in a successful outcome," Summit Carbon Solutions CEO Lee Blank said in a statement.
In total, Summit Carbon Solutions said they partnered with 57 ethanol plants across five states, and signed voluntary easement agreements with 75% of landowners in the state of Iowa that are along its pipeline route. Summit said that they will continue to work with landowners.
"This isn't over - we will appeal to a fair decision-maker. Don't lose hope," the Iowa chapter of the Sierra Club wrote on Facebook.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
