–Kossuth County’s amended zoning ordinance is now in effect that will regulate where hazardous liquid pipelines can be placed. Kossuth County Engineer Doug Miller spoke to the Board of Supervisors during their meeting Tuesday morning.
Should the ordinance survive a court challenge, it would prohibit hazardous liquid pipelines from being placed within 2600 feet of a residence, farm building or any other type of place where people may gather. The supervisors based their changes on an ordinance that was passed in Shelby County last year, but that ordinance was thrown out by a Federal Judge earlier this month after Summit Carbon Solutions filed a lawsuit saying it was too restrictive and the county lacked the authority to impose restrictions. The court issued a permanent injunction which barres the county from enforcing the ordinance, saying the included setbacks would make it nearly impossible for the company to construct the pipeline if they gain approval from the Iowa Utilities Board.
