The Iowa House of Representatives on March 26 voted 82 to 12 in favor of a bill that aims to ban the use of eminent domain on agricultural land for the development of carbon dioxide (CO2) pipeline projects. A similar ban has already been enacted in South Dakota.The legislation was introduced on March 4 as HSB &nbsp;287 and has since been renumbered as HF 943. Companion legislation, SF 92, was introduced in the Iowa Senate on Jan. 22 and referred to the Senate Commerce Committee.&nbsp;The bill specifically aims to prevent the use of eminent domain on agricultural land for the development of “hazardous liquid pipelines for the transportation or transmission of liquefied carbon dioxide.” The use of eminent domain would continue to be allowed for other utility projects.Those who support the bill are targeting the development of Summit Carbon Solution’s proposed CO2 pipeline project, which spans areas in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota and North Dakota. The project aims to capture CO2 produced at 57 partnering ethanol plants and transport that CO2 to North Dakota for secure geologic sequestration.The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association said HF 943 would essentially ban carbon capture and storage (CCS) pipelines in Iowa, putting the state’s ethanol producers at a disadvantage in accessing higher-value, low-carbon markets.&nbsp;“Today’s vote in the House was hardly surprising, but it is still disappointing,” said Monte Shaw, executive director of the IRFA. “IRFA members have been saying for three years that CCS is the most important tool available to grow ethanol demand into new markets both here at home and around the world. As our pleas have fallen on deaf ears, what has happened? The largest two-year drop in farm income ever. Huge layoffs throughout the agriculture economy from equipment makers to coops. Several ethanol plants have shut their doors including one in Iowa. Just recently, Iowa was second only to Texas in the amount of emergency federal farm aid dispersed. Iowa farmers and ethanol producers want markets, not emergency assistance. Meanwhile our neighbors in Nebraska and our competitors in Brazil will have CCS projects in operation by the end of the year.”“We are confident that cooler heads will prevail in the Senate,” Shaw continued. “For three years we have reached out our hand to anyone wanting to enhance landowner rights while maintaining Iowa’s ability to grow its economy. That offer remains. The massive majority of impacted landowners have supported CCS projects with voluntary easements. But a small, though loud, minority want to override their rights. IRFA calls on the Iowa Senate to stand with the majority of impacted landowners, farmers, ethanol producers, and Iowa’s economic future to ensure the state has the tools it needs to meet the brewing economic disaster in the heartland.”Summit has been working to develop its CCS pipeline project for several years. The company has already secured a route permit from the North Dakota Public Service Commission, three Class VI sequestration permits from the North Dakota Industrial Commission, and a pipeline permit for a 28-mile pipeline route from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.&nbsp;In mid-2024, Summit also received conditional permit approval from the Iowa Utilities Commission. The conditions, in part, require the company to secure permits in North Dakota and South Dakota before construction can begin in Iowa.&nbsp;

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The Iowa House of Representatives on March 26 voted 82 to 12 in favor of a bill that aims to ban the use of eminent domain on agricultural land for the development of carbon dioxide (CO2) pipeline projects. 

Iowa House passes bill prohibiting eminent domain on agricultural land for CO2 pipeline development

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