Legislation across the Midwest is challenging progress being made on proposed carbon pipelines in several states.
Iowa lawmakers just voted this week to stop the proposed pipelines from using eminent domain.
The House voted on two bills directed at addressing ongoing disputes between landowners and summit carbon solutions over the nearly 1,000 miles worth of pipelines. Both bills passed by more than 80 votes.
The executive of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association called the Iowa House’s decision hardly surprising, but still disappointing. He says believes that cooler heads will prevail when the bills head to the state’s Senate. The bill is expected to take effect in May.
In South Dakota, Summit Carbon has asked courts to pause or dismiss several legal battles with landowners and state regulators.
A judge agreed to pause the company’s efforts to remove an elected regulator from its permitting case, citing a conflict of interest.
Summit also requested a pause in its permit proceedings with the state’s Utilities Commission but emphasized that it has not given up on the project.
In neighboring North Dakota, Summit is asking courts to dismiss appeals from landowners who are challenging the state’s decision to grant the company permission to pump carbon dioxide into underground sequestration sites.
Critics argue that Summit’s request is based on procedural issues rather than the actual concerns raised in the appeals.
