–Representatives from the Iowa Utilities Commission and Summit Carbon Solutions held an informational meeting Monday night in Lakota to hear from landowners along the route of a proposed carbon capture pipeline project. The meeting featured a presentation about Phase 2 of the project, which would add 22 miles of pipeline in eastern Kossuth County, connecting the original route to the Valero ethanol plant near Lakota. Following the informational session, company officials took questions from those in attendance. One area of concern was the impact the pipeline would have on drainage tiles that are already buried in farm fields across the county.
Concerns were also raised about how quickly the company will respond to landowner requests.
Former State Representative Tedd Gassman spoke during the meeting about the use of eminent domain to obtain access to land from unwilling owners.
Summit VP of Government Relations Jake Ketzner emphasized they are still working with landowners across the state to obtain voluntary easements.
Part of the presentation from Summit highlights the amount of property tax income Kossuth County would see if the pipeline is built. Board of Supervisors Chairman Kyle Stecker asked how they come up with the estimate of nearly $3 Million a year.
Now that the informational meeting has been held, Summit’s land agents can begin working with landowners along Phase II of the project to try and obtain easements. The IUC approved Summit’s permit application for Phase I of the project this summer, granting the company the power of eminent domain. The company will have to obtain approval for Phase II of the project, which they hope to obtain over the next year. If the proper permits are granted, Summit hopes to have the pipeline operational sometime in 2026.
