DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Television Iowa Capitol Bureau) – Iowa landowners are waiting to find out if the company building a carbon sequestration pipeline has the authority to force access onto their property.
Summit carbon solutions wants the pipeline to take carbon from ethanol plants and store it underground out of state. Thursday, nearly all representatives voted to give landowners more clarity on the use of eminent domain.State Rep. Charley Thomson of Charles City said, “Land is the original asset in Iowa. It’s in our souls. An unjust taking of land without remedy is not only irritating, it’s outrageous.
Republican lawmakers in the Iowa House say Summit Carbon Solutions’ request to use eminent domain to built a nearly 700 mile pipeline through 29 counties is unconstitutional, saying the project doesn’t benefit the public. State Rep. Bobby Kaufmann of Wilton said, “Government does not exist to make the confiscation of private property easier for you. Government does not exist to make the confiscation of private property more financially advantageous for you.”
A bill passed by the Iowa House Thursday would allow both landowners and pipeline companies to petition the court to ask whether the land being taken is constitutional and the project would exist for the public’s benefit. State Rep. Steve Holt of Denison said, “This legislation simply allows both landowners and companies the opportunity to have a declaratory judgment upfront on the constitutionality of an eminent domain request before precious time and money are wasted.”
Hearings at the Iowa Utilities Board ended in November, and landowners are still waiting to hear what will happen with their land. Since then, affected landowners have been a constant force at the state capitol nearly every day asking lawmakers to do something. State Rep. Steve Holt of Denison says the bill will ease their frustration. “So that you will not spend years in frustration and limbo pleading and spending your hard earned money to protect your fundamental right of private property The bill now goes to the Iowa Senate, who has yet to take up any eminent domain bills passed this session or last year’s.
Governor Kim Reynolds has never publicly stated her position on the pipelines, however she appointed the three board members of the IUB.
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Conner Hendricks covers state government and politics for Gray Television-owned stations in Iowa. Email him at [email protected]; and follow him on Facebook at Conner Hendricks TV or on X/Twitter @ConnerReports.
Copyright 2024 KCRG. All rights reserved.
DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Television Iowa Capitol Bureau) – Iowa landowners are waiting to find out if the company building a carbon sequestration pipeline has the authority to force access onto their property.
Summit carbon solutions wants the pipeline to take carbon from ethanol plants and store it underground out of state. Thursday, nearly all representatives voted to give landowners more clarity on the use of eminent domain.State Rep. Charley Thomson of Charles City said, “Land is the original asset in Iowa. It’s in our souls. An unjust taking of land without remedy is not only irritating, it’s outrageous.
Republican lawmakers in the Iowa House say Summit Carbon Solutions’ request to use eminent domain to built a nearly 700 mile pipeline through 29 counties is unconstitutional, saying the project doesn’t benefit the public. State Rep. Bobby Kaufmann of Wilton said, “Government does not exist to make the confiscation of private property easier for you. Government does not exist to make the confiscation of private property more financially advantageous for you.”
A bill passed by the Iowa House Thursday would allow both landowners and pipeline companies to petition the court to ask whether the land being taken is constitutional and the project would exist for the public’s benefit. State Rep. Steve Holt of Denison said, “This legislation simply allows both landowners and companies the opportunity to have a declaratory judgment upfront on the constitutionality of an eminent domain request before precious time and money are wasted.”
Hearings at the Iowa Utilities Board ended in November, and landowners are still waiting to hear what will happen with their land. Since then, affected landowners have been a constant force at the state capitol nearly every day asking lawmakers to do something. State Rep. Steve Holt of Denison says the bill will ease their frustration. “So that you will not spend years in frustration and limbo pleading and spending your hard earned money to protect your fundamental right of private property The bill now goes to the Iowa Senate, who has yet to take up any eminent domain bills passed this session or last year’s.
Governor Kim Reynolds has never publicly stated her position on the pipelines, however she appointed the three board members of the IUB.
—
Conner Hendricks covers state government and politics for Gray Television-owned stations in Iowa. Email him at [email protected]; and follow him on Facebook at Conner Hendricks TV or on X/Twitter @ConnerReports.
Copyright 2024 KCRG. All rights reserved.
